{"id":7875,"date":"2020-04-13T19:39:27","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T19:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=7875"},"modified":"2021-03-11T15:27:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T20:27:42","slug":"6-resources-for-people-experiencing-domestic-violence-and-abuse-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/safe-horizon-in-the-news\/resources-domestic-violence-abuse-coronavirus-pandemic","title":{"rendered":"6 Resources for People Experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse During the Coronavirus Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"6
\nHello Giggles<\/em>
\nBy Morgan Noll\u00a0<\/em>
\nApril 13, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been told over and over that staying home amidst the\u00a0coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic<\/a>\u00a0is the safest thing for the general population\u2014but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s safe for\u00a0everyone<\/em>. For some people, the\u00a0stay-at-home mandates<\/a>\u00a0mean being stuck in settings of violence and hate, causing them to spend this time fearing for their mental and emotional wellbeing as well as for their physical safety. As reported by\u00a0NBC<\/a>, domestic violence rates have gone up across the country amidst the coronavirus pandemic, with police in Houston and Cherokee County, South Carolina, for instance, reporting 20 and 35 percent spikes, respectively, from February to March in calls about abuse.Fortunately, there are people who are looking out for those in unsafe home situations and doing what they can to offer help and support. Just last week,\u00a0Rihanna donated $2.1 million<\/a>\u00a0to aid domestic violence survivors during coronavirus\u2014some of whom have been turned away at shelters due to increased demand,\u00a0Rolling Stone<\/em><\/a>\u00a0reports. Meanwhile, domestic violence organizations, such as those listed below, are working to maintain their 24-hour hotlines and provide remote services to support those in need.<\/p>\n

As information about the increased rates of domestic violence and abuse spreads, however, there\u2019s been some confusion about the best way to offer support to survivors at this time.<\/h2>\n

Some individuals are suggesting that people in emergencies use code words, like \u201cmakeup,\u201d as a discreet way of seeking out support. Yet\u00a0Women\u2019s Aid<\/a>, a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children, wrote in a post that \u201ccommunity code words can work well in places of work or between friends, but ad hoc word schemes\u2014though well intentioned\u2014can risk confusion and not practically help survivors reach the support they need.\u201d Instead, the organization, along\u00a0with others<\/a>, has urged people to share information about resources from those trained in the space of domestic violence and abuse rather than encourage the use of code words.<\/p>\n

If you are in a situation of domestic violence or abuse yourself, or if you\u2019re looking to help someone who is, reference the list of resources below.<\/p>\n

Resources for survivors of domestic violence and abuse:<\/em><\/h2>\n