Can’t stop. Won’t stop!
The need to serve victims of domestic abuse doesn’t stop during a pandemic. In fact, as if the pandemic isn’t frightening enough, it has become a weapon in the hands of abusers … and more bars on the prisons that hold their victims.
We’ve heard many stories of abuse victims kept at home with the excuse, “How can you say you care about me if you’re willing to bring COVID into this house?” We’ve heard about victims who now have nowhere they can be alone … Victims who have to keep their phones on silent in case their friends and family text … Victims who hide their Facebook or other social media activity so their abuser won’t destroy their devices in a fit of rage.
When the abuser is always nearby, every minute becomes a dangerous balancing act.
How is your support of Sheltering Wings helping us serve victims of domestic abuse during COVID-19? It’s letting us take a dual approach to our mission.
We can respond immediately to keep survivors safe, and we can work diligently to prevent abuse from ever happening.
Immediate response
1. Callers to our 24/7 Helpline – (317) 745-1496 – speak to a trained advocate right away. We are able to arrange for the caller’s safety in minutes, if necessary, or we can walk them through a safety plan so they can leave when it is safest to do so.
2. With one click of the red “I Need Help!” button at the top of every page of our website, victims see, “Call 911 right now if you’re in immediate danger” and our 24/7 Helpline, too. They find links to help them decide if they’re being abused and what to do about it if they (or a child, a teen or a coworker) are, in fact, experiencing abuse. And they gain access to other resources they may need, such as financial assistance.
3. Through our Facebook page, victims can send a message that is answered immediately, 24/7; messages are then treated like calls to our Helpline. This is often the safest, most unobtrusive way for people to contact us since they can do so silently. They also send wonderful messages of thanks, like this one:
Prevention
4. The Prevent Abuse section of our website offers specific guidance and resources depending on your situation:
- Friend or relative
- Faith leader
- Employer or coworker
- Youth worker (including teachers and youth who are leaders)
5. You can access dozens of other agencies involved in preventing domestic violence from one page on our website, Community Resources.
6. Virtual education and training allow us to continue spreading awareness about domestic abuse and how to prevent it. Bring us to your group!
The pandemic may continue … and so will our support for domestic violence survivors.
