COVID-19 posing many new threats to survivors of Domestic Violence

Written by WZND Newsroom on April 14, 2020

Photo courtesy National Domestic Violence Hotline Facebook page

NORMAL, Ill.- There has been an increase in hotline calls at local Domestic Violence Shelter, Neville House.

Illinois State University’s Students Ending Rape Culture (SERC) has been part of the effort to stop Domestic Violence, but the pandemic is creating threats for the survivors.

Photo courtesy to SERC Facebook page

Staff Adviser of SERC Misia Grzybowski said, “With the quarantine in effect this can isolate the survivor even more which can lead the survivor to “self-medicate” to numb out the abuse happening.”

However, there are many resources for individuals with addictive behaviors.

Now that we are in a digital reality, Chestnut is offering several of their programs via Zoom for assistance with addictive behaviors.

But addiction isn’t the only threat that comes with this quarantine.

“If people can’t see it, then they don’t know or believe it is happening,” said Grzybowski.

“Now with most of our employers shutting down, except for essential workers, there aren’t coworkers who are there to offer help or support survivors, there aren’t teachers seeing their students struggling and asking why or able to make mandated reports, and etc. There is only isolation which is detrimental to a survivor in an abusive relationship.”

However, the Countering Domestic Violence Program at MCCA (Mid Central Community Action) is still offering shelter, hotline, legal advocacy, counseling, children’s services and medical advocacy.

“I would like any survivor to know that our program is still operating. We are still here to help you and support you,” said Outreach and Medical Advocate Rachel Sizemore.

Grzybowski believes the first step to ensure safety would be to go to a private space, if it’s an option, and contact MCCA’s 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline (309-827-7070).

“On that hotline there will always be a trained Domestic Violence Advocate that can safety plan with a survivor and offer immediate shelter at a confidential location,” said Grzybowski.

The Advocate will also link the survivor to other programs they offer such as, legal advocates who assist with order of protections, counseling with their individual therapist, children’s services, and medical advocacy.