SUMMARY
Larry Lawson is a career law enforcement officer that has served as a uniformed policeman, investigator, and educator. He offers insights on domestic violence and child abuse from his long career. His perspective comes from his time serving in the trenches and having a first-hand view of domestic abuse and violence in our community. Larry feels there is a potential to see an increase in these behaviors motivated by pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
HIGHLIGHTS
[00:00:55] Susan introduces Larry Lawson and he shares his career of being a cop and fighting against domestic violence.
[00:02:58] Larry talks about things that can put strain on people enough to cause domestic violence.
[00:05:49] Larry shares some resources that you can use during COVID-19 to protect yourself from domestic violence.
[00:12:05] Susan and Larry discuss what type of behaviors lead to child abuse.
[00:16:10] How has the pandemic effected domestic violence?
[00:20:56] Larry explains how you can protect yourself and prevent domestic violence any time.
QUOTES
3:08 “Whenever you’ve got folks that are under stress, the instances of domestic violence tend to increase.”
12:29 “I would like for people to know that these shelters do have clothing, even professional clothing available so that they can help you get a job, they can help you be financially independent and things of that nature while your escaping your abuser.”
14:38 “I’ve arrested people that have committed acts of violence to a domestic partner, and just the mere fact that their children’s standing there watching it added those charges of child abuse.”
15:58 “We are all a product of our childhood in one way or another.”
18:20 “They’re worried about their five-year-old or their eight year old pulling the curtains off the window and at the same time wondering how are we going to eat tonight during this pandemic.”
RESOURCES
Safe Space: http://www.safespacefl.org/about-us.html
State Attorney’s Office: (772) 226-3300
National Abuse Hotline: 1(800)-799-7233
