Before the Pandemic: Social Services and the Role of Socioeconomic Indicators in Erie's Domestic Violence

This study explores the relationship between social services availability and domestic violence in Erie, Pennsylvania, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing police-reported data and multivariate spatially lagged regression, we analyzed how social service density and socioeconomic factors impact neighborhood violence rates. Findings indicate an inverse relationship between social service availability and domestic violence incidents. Fewer social services in a neighborhood correlate with higher rates of domestic violence, suggesting that such services play a critical role in mitigating violence. The study's results are particularly relevant given the exacerbation of domestic violence under pandemic-induced confinement and service limitations, highlighting the need for accessible social support in vulnerable communities.