![\"Domestic](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-1024x695.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
NYXT<\/em> The number of cases of domestic violence has grown during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly among underserved communities. We recently talked with Kimberlina Kavern, Senior Director of the Crime Victim Assistance Program at Safe Horizon<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you are a victim of domestic violence call 1-800-621-HOPE (4673). If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can watch Safe Horizon\u2019s videos at nyxt.nyc\/safehorizon<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that rates of domestic violence have gone up across the state. Many victims are now isolated in their homes with their abusive partner and aren’t able to access their normal support systems.\u201d – <\/i><\/b>Senior Director, Crime Victim\u00a0Assistance Program at Safe Horizon<\/p>\n Can you share Safe Horizon\u2019s story with us? How did the organization start?<\/b><\/p>\n Safe Horizon was founded in 1978 as the Victim Services Agency. It was created in response to a project by the Vera Institute of Justice to provide support to victims who had been intimidated or who felt too threatened to testify in court. Our first programs that year were Project SAFE, our Crime Victims Hotline, complaint rooms in Brooklyn and Bronx Courts to offer help and advocacy for orders of protection, reception centers in criminal and family courts, and children’s centers in courts.<\/p>\n How did you get involved with the organization?<\/b><\/p>\n I’ve been with the organization for 13 years, starting as a case manager in our police programs. I’ve spent the last 11 years in a number of supervisory roles within our criminal justice programs.<\/p>\n How is the current pandemic affecting women and families in terms of domestic violence?<\/b><\/p>\n We know that rates of domestic violence have gone up across the state. Many victims are now isolated in their homes with their abusive partner and aren’t able to access their normal support systems. And although services are still available, they may be more challenging for people to access.<\/p>\n How have you adapted your services because of the coronavirus?<\/b><\/p>\n All of our programs are still providing the same services, although most are remote. Our Hotlines are still available 24 hours a day, our Streetwork Program continues to provide in-person services at our drop-in center, the Child Advocacy Center staff are providing in-person essential services, and shelter space is still available with social distancing protocols in place. We are offering counseling to survivors via video-conferencing, and our court, police, and community programs are providing all of our normal services remotely.<\/p>\n Do we see progress on how many families are suffering from domestic violence?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n We know that domestic violence can happen to anyone of any gender, age, race, or socio-economic status. While we’ve made progress in the last 40 years in the services provided and accessibility of these services, we know that many still suffer in silence, domestic violence is wildly under-reported, and we still live in a culture that often blames the victim, and that we have far to go in really prioritizing the safety of victims of intimate partner violence.<\/p>\n What are some basic tips that we should all keep in mind to help a person that is suffering domestic violence?<\/b><\/p>\n If you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, let them know that they don’t need to manage the situation alone. We are here to help. Our SafeChat feature on our website is available if you are not able or safe to talk on the phone. We are here to listen and to help come up with a safety plan that is right for you. Our services are free and confidential.<\/p>\n Read the original article here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Domestic violence cases have grown during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly among underserved communities. Safe Horizon’s Kimberlina Kavern explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":7974,"alt_text":"Domestic Violence During COVID-19 _An Interview with Safe Horizon","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":1600,"height":1086,"file":"2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon.png","sizes":{"medium":{"file":"Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-300x204.png","width":300,"height":204,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-300x204.png"},"large":{"file":"Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-1024x695.png","width":1024,"height":695,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-1024x695.png"},"thumbnail":{"file":"Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-150x150.png","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-150x150.png"},"medium_large":{"file":"Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-768x521.png","width":768,"height":521,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-768x521.png"},"1536x1536":{"file":"Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-1536x1043.png","width":1536,"height":1043,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon-1536x1043.png"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":7973,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Domestic-Violence-During-COVID-19-_An-Interview-with-Safe-Horizon.png"},"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[807,1441,1439,92,1363,1503,1505,1115],"class_list":["post-7973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safe-horizon-in-the-news","tag-abuse","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","tag-domestic-violence","tag-kimberlina-kavern","tag-racial-equity","tag-racial-justice","tag-racism","issue-domestic-violence"],"acf":{"page_header_title":"","title_font_size":"42","page_header_excerpt":"","sub-headline_placement":false,"page_header_image":false,"custom_scripts":false,"show_author_bio":false,"original_url":"","related_initiative_title":"Do you need help?","related_initiative_link":"\/emergency","related_initiative_link_text":"Learn about our services","featured_posts":[{"ID":7753,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-03-20 17:22:18","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-20 17:22:18","post_content":"
\nBy Barbara Victoria Niveyro <\/em>
\nJune 9, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/New-York-May-Pull-Domestic-Violence-Shelters-Out-Of-The-Shadows-1024x683.jpeg\")
\r\n\r\nBy Olga-Rodriguez Vidal\r\nMarch 20, 2020<\/em>\r\n\r\nDomestic violence happens in the home, so when people are urged to shelter in place because of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic<\/span>, abuse and violence <\/span>can<\/span> increase. If you are quarantined with someone who abuses you, or know someone in a similar domestic violence situation, know that Safe Horizon can help. You can visit our resource page to view your options<\/a> or review these safety tips you can use during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span>\r\n1. Consider Creating a Safety Plan<\/h2>\r\nA safety plan is a strategy\u00a0<\/span>you can use to minimize risks.\u00a0<\/span>Your safety plan can change as your\u00a0<\/span>specific\u00a0<\/span>concerns and situation change. <\/span>W<\/span>hile\u00a0<\/span>under\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>COVID-19 (Coronavirus)\u00a0<\/span>quarantine<\/span>, you may want to make changes to your safety plan to help keep you safe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For example, if physical violence often occurs in the kitchen at a specific time, a safety plan would outline alternative places and times\u00a0<\/span>you\u00a0<\/span>can\u00a0<\/span>plan to be\u00a0<\/span>to curb the violence while sheltering in place. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWe always\u00a0<\/span>encourage<\/span> survivors to collaborate with an expert to create these plans. Our Domestic Violence Hotline<\/span>\u00a0advocates<\/span>\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span>trained to safety plan with survivors and are available\u00a0<\/span>24\/7 to collaborate or just a <\/span>listening ear.\u00a0<\/span>Call to speak with an advocate at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>If you\u2019re unsure about calling an advocate<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>you can find out what to expect by reading\u00a0<\/span>how an advocate named Nia safety plans with survivors.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIf it is not safe to speak over the phone, you can\u00a0<\/span>chat<\/span>\u00a0with an advo<\/span>cate:<\/span> visit <\/span>http:\/\/safehorizon.org\/safe<\/span>chat<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nO<\/span><\/b>ur official safety planning page<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>p<\/span>rovides a more in-depth guide in how you can create your own safety plan if sheltered in place with someone abusive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n
2. Continue to Stay in Touch with Your Support Network<\/h2>\r\nIt\u2019s difficult for many<\/span>\u00a0of us to be isolated<\/span>\u00a0due to being quarantined because of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)<\/span>, let alone\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>f you are<\/span>\u00a0at home with the person abusing you<\/span>. Now is a great time to think of different ways to\u00a0<\/span>connect to the people you trust and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>who\u00a0<\/span>support<\/span>\u00a0you the most<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0To engage in face-to-face contact, y<\/span>ou can v<\/span>ideo chat\u00a0<\/span>using\u00a0<\/span>free\u00a0<\/span>phone\u00a0<\/span>apps like\u00a0<\/span>Whats<\/span>A<\/span>pp<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0Apple Face<\/span>T<\/span>ime<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>exting, speaking over the phone, or even using social media can\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>help you stay connected.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Y<\/span>ou can<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>check in\u00a0<\/span>with\u00a0<\/span>your support system\u00a0<\/span>daily,\u00a0<\/span>and even implement\u00a0<\/span>protective strategies<\/span>\u00a0for when you know the person causing harm is likely to react.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For example, y<\/span>ou can tell your support network that if they don\u2019t hear from you by a certain day or time, to send help.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n
3. Know There is Help<\/h2>\r\nSheltering in place while with someone abusive during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic may make <\/span>you\u00a0<\/span>think twice before reaching out for help<\/span>\u00a0\u2013<\/span>\u00a0we are here to say please\u00a0<\/span><\/b>don\u2019t hesitate, <\/span><\/b>because help is here<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>At Safe Horizon,\u00a0<\/span>we are doing everything in our power to make our services available to\u00a0<\/span>help domestic violence survivors<\/span>, especially<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>at this time of crisis.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nOur Domestic Violence Hotline<\/a> 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)<\/a> is open to all survivors, whether\u00a0<\/span>you\u00a0<\/span>need a listening ear or linkages to resources that are available during the pandemic.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nOur\u00a0<\/span>D<\/span>omestic\u00a0<\/span>V<\/span>iolence<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>S<\/span><\/a>helters\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0also<\/span>\u00a0still open.\u00a0<\/span>W<\/span>e are still providing safe spaces for people in danger and can provide you with basic needs when you come to shelter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWe are providing real-time updates of site closures or reduced services here as they occur on our web page <\/span>https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/emergency\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n
Please take care of yourself and stay safe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n ","post_title":"3\u00a0Safety Tips for\u00a0Domestic Violence Victims Quarantined\u00a0During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)","post_excerpt":"Domestic violence can increase if you are quarantined with someone abusive due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Read and share these 3 tips to help survivors.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"3-safety-tips-for-covid-19-coronavirus-quarantined-domestic-violence-victims","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-10 13:52:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-10 17:52:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]},"yoast_head":"\n