Male same-sex intimate partner violence is a preventable and serious
social problem worldwide, including in the United States. Conflicting
data sets posit that members of the LGBT community are at higher risk to
be perpetrators and victims of intimate partner violence. The current
and rapid ascendency of the COVID-19 virus has thrust the United States
into uncharted territory concerning shelter-in-place orders, which may
be construed as quarantines. In addition, the current panic level of
many individuals in the United States has contributed to food and supply
hoarding and has increased the stress level of many Americans. These
shelter-in-place orders can provide catastrophic results for those that
are in a relationship that is rife with domestic violence. The potential
for risk of abuse is compounded by not just staying at home with the
abuser, but also thwarting crucial social supports who cannot be in
close proximity or who are only accessible through phone calls or texts.
Moreover, mental health practitioners are now utilizing tele-medicine
that does not guarantee confidentiality or protection for the victims,
further enabling hopelessness for the abused. It is urgent that we
address this situation in the social literature.