It's hard to flee from your domestic abuser during a coronavirus lockdown

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.When the stay-at-home order went into effect in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, C. She's among many women who have fled domestic violence during stay-at-home orders who have ended up in hotels for long-term stays because shelter capacity has been dramatically reduced to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.Domestic violence organizations around the country have overhauled how they operate in the last two months due to coronavirus, working to support isolated victims who are suddenly harder to reach and help than ever. Several providers said that while reports of abuse went down under their local stay-at-home orders, those that did come in described more violent incidents.The pandemic has forced domestic violence groups to figure out how to file protection orders remotely, how to provide emergency shelter that doesn't create unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus, and how to reach victims who can't make phone calls. How many domestic violence resources are available?"This site is protected by recaptcha Privacy Policy | Terms of ServiceOverall, said Glenn, "We probably saw a decrease when we first went into COVID crisis, survivors adjusted to their temporary normal — they figured that part out — and now they're figuring out how to be safer.The increase in frantic calls and severe abuse reports led the Domestic Violence Action Center in Honolulu to provide additional mental health resources for staff members as it worked to expand services."We had to be more creative in our outreach to better protect survivors and our own staff," said CEO Nanci Kreidman. Hotels with unfilled rooms are offering many shelters discounts, but housing victims in them brings additional challenges, keeping them isolated and more difficult for service providers to be in regular contact with.Domestic violence groups have long used hotels for short, temporary housing when necessary, but the pandemic has led many to start using them for long-term stays. The Safe House for Women in Missouri lost almost two months of income from its thrift store, which typically provides 30 percent of the organization's operating budget, when it had to temporarily close its doors.The new financial strains have forced some domestic violence organizations to consider cutting their services and hours.Glenn, of the national coalition, said programs around the country expect to see a significant increase in calls and a rise in reports of domestic violence as restrictions ease in the coming months and more people are able to share their stories from isolation.