Kelly Kenoyer
Local emergency call data shows that domestic violence has shot up dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in recent months after a lull right at the beginning of lockdowns in March.
Lucy Daumen Casal, shelter manager at the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence in Albany, said calls to the non-profit’s hotline dropped at the beginning of the pandemic, but grew rapidly in July, August and September. Those three months had 441 total calls, compared to 253 in the entire 12 months preceding them.
“There was a period of time where people weren’t able to reach out,” she said of the lockdown period in the spring. “What we have found is that people who are living on lockdown with their partners are then needing to reach out and having a lot of barriers.”
Daumen Casal said the frustrations and difficulties of the pandemic have worn on everyone, but for those in abusive home situations, it can be even worse. Some use work or school as a reprieve from violence, she said, and stress was lower before COVID.
“Pandemics don’t cause domestic violence, nor does distress or financial hardship. But it definitely creates a situation where people’s safety is more in jeopardy,” she said.
CARDV provides emergency shelter as well as assistance with restraining orders, the court system, crisis response calls, and community education related to domestic violence and sexual assault. The shelter is still in operation despite the pandemic, and has strict sanitation regiments to meet state requirements to remain open. CARDV is the primary domestic violence agency in Linn and Benton counties, and provides support for Sweet Home as well; officers hand out CARDV pamphlets when they respond to domestic violence calls.
Police Chief Jeff Lynn said domestic violence calls in Sweet Home are up 16 percent compared to last year.
“We’re in a perfect storm,” he said. “The economic crisis that is hitting families, combined with stressors of the pandemic and stressors of having a full family in the house, and no school for the kids to go to… there’s no breaks families can take from each other.”
On top of that, victims have fewer places to turn to, as their “social networks are more limited and confined,” he said.
If a resident knows someone who’s being impacted by domestic violence, Lynn said, a call to the Police Department may be appropriate.
“We’d love to go out and do a welfare check on the family or the couple.”
Daumen Casal said there a couple of ways to help a victim of domestic violence.
“The best thing you can do is believe them. Oftentimes our first reaction is to go to disbelief,” she said. “Then listening to what they need help with or what they’re looking for, to be safe. And then I always encourage people to call our 24 hour crisis and support line.” That number is (541) 754-0110.
She said a lot of callers are family or friends who are concerned about a loved one, and they act as “the bridge for that survivor to actually feel comfortable calling us.”
The organization also has a chat function now, for those who can’t safely call for help. That chat is available on CARDV’s website, at resourceconnect.com/cardv/chat.
While volunteering is on pause because of COVID, CARDV is still accepting donations of all sizes. Development Director Ireland DeRosia said donations are down because of COVID, but the organization is still getting funding thanks to new grants available through COVID relief packages.
“We’re not in trouble in any way, but we’re finding ways to be creative with the money we have to still meet clients needs with the impacted funding.”
Lynn also suggested that those who struggle with anger should seek pre-abuse counseling. Violence is often a cycle that can be difficult to break out of, according to researchers. But counseling can help individuals develop other coping mechanisms and communication strategies, Lynn said. Locally, Country Counseling provides help on those kinds of issues, and accepts Oregon Health Plan coverage.
“If there’s concerns, whether it’s DV or child abuse concerns, reach out to somebody for help,” Lynn said. “Whether it’s the Police Department or a social service, there’s help out there. Even during the pandemic, there’s help out there.”