Pandemic Domestic Abuse Rise Prompts New Victim Services
A new 20-bed shelter for domestic violence survivors will soon open in Orange County, one of several additions to the services of Fearless!Hudson Valley in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There was an increase in abusive behavior, but the options for addressing it changed,” said Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, executive director of Fearless!
The new shelter had been in planning stages for five years, but other service changes were made to compensate for the limitations imposed by shutdowns and quarantines, as demand for services rose 50% and hotline calls increased 27% from May to August, she said.
“The things we did right for the pandemic resulted in people isolated with abusers who were home all the time, with no relief for partners or children. Violence increased, and the ability to connect with services declined,” said Kostyal-Larrier.
In Port Jervis, 209 domestic violence incidents were reported in 2020 by the high risk team that includes police and a Fearless! staff member, but only nine visits were made, compared to the same period in 2019 when 62 visits were made. The Fearless! advocate remained in the field though, providing food, emergency items and transportation when needed.
Meanwhile, calls increased for services related to court accompaniment, legal support, mental health, social services, housing, immigration and school.
“Covid-19 forced a re-evaluation of services, resulting in new programs and service capabilities,” said Kostyal-Larrier.
The innovations could provide valuable options in the future, pandemic or not. Fearless! staff had talked about a web chat option before, but now it has been implemented, allowing communication using computers and phones in addition to hotlines and in person visits.
The virtual court appearance was also an adjustment that has important advantages.
“No one should have to choose between having food on the table and transportation to court,” said Kostyal-Larrier. “Virtual appearances can be done on a lunch break.”
Public transportation is limited, and the time needed to get to court could cost a work day and child care that may be unaffordable, she said.
Meanwhile, 20 people are already waiting for the new shelter to open. The current facility has only 17 beds, and Covid-19 restrictions further limited intake, requiring a two-week quarantine in a shelter room. Those turned away work with other programs, said Kostyal-Larrier. County social services may find them a shelter or hotel, or a safety plan may be developed.
“Leaving can increase abuse and danger exponentially,” she said.
Elsewhere, at Victim’s Intervention Program (VIP), covering Pike and Wayne counties in Pennsylvania, an “eerie silence” came over their hotline when the pandemic took hold with shutdowns and quarantines, said Michele Minor Wolf, VIP executive director. In a year they serve about 1000 people, but sometimes a day went by without a hotline call.
“We’d thought about textlines before for people who don’t want to talk,” she said.
The pandemic prompted taking action on that idea. As outreach also became challenging, they made use of restaurants and pharmacies, some of the few businesses remaining open. They advertised their services on pizza boxes and pharmacy bags.
“Now we’re finding out what clients need most in the new normal,” said Wolf. “They’re struggling with getting out in the world.”