BRICK – What is happening behind closed doors during the coronavirus quarantine for families who have a history of domestic abuse?
There is no question that tensions are running high for most people who self-quarantine. They are isolated, and when they do venture out, they have to keep a social distance from others.
“There has actually been a decrease in [domestic abuse hotline] calls across the state,” said Mary Pettrow, associate service area director of Catholic Charities’ Providence House-Domestic Violence Services. The organization provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic abuse and their children.
“Historically, when there’s a crisis, like Superstorm Sandy and 9/11, there is quiet before the uptick happens,” she said in a recent phone interview.
Victims of domestic abuse can manage for a short period of time while sheltering in place, but now the quarantine has been extended, she said.
“A lot of referrals come from school guidance counselors, hairdressers, doctors and others, when people confide in them, but people are not seeing each other since they are now in isolation,” Pettrow explained.
Domestic abuse is about power and control. Individuals and families keep the violence a secret so outside people don’t see it, she said.
“Social distancing equals physical distancing, so as a society we can still check on each other, we need to check on people,” she said.
Pettrow said, “isolation can escalate the violence, especially when there’s outside forces like drinking, and loss of employment, which can cause financial stress and as children are home can escalate in families where violence exists.”
Ocean County has one of the highest populations of seniors across the state, so domestic violence is not just an issue for younger families, Pettrow added.
“We have seen domestic abuse on seniors when an adult child moves back into the house,” she said. “If you’re unsure that you’ve been a victim of domestic abuse, just call; you can stay anonymous,” Pettrow said. “We’ll get you the help you need.”
Providence House receives an average of 2,000 individual outreach calls a year, and an average of 700 calls a year to their hotline, she said. They are open right now and all services are available.
The organization is funded by the Department of Children and Families, multiple federal grants, fundraising and individual donations.
Their major fundraiser – a gift auction held at Georgian Court University in June – can’t be held as planned due to coronavirus restrictions.
The fundraiser nets $70,000, “so we’re kind of scrambling, trying to backfill that revenue loss,” Pettrow said. “But we’re not going to let it hinder our ability to help and offer our services.”
To reach Providence House call 732 244-8259.
Calls to the state hotline for domestic violence are also down during the pandemic, said Executive Director of Womanspace Patricia Hart, who runs the statewide hotline.
“That’s one of the problems – there’s been no increase in calls, and with us that’s the fear that with the quarantine there might not be many opportunities for someone to make calls, or to get out,” she said in a recent phone call. “When there’s less calls we get concerned.”
Many of the recent calls to the hotline have been questions about the coronavirus, she added.
“It says a lot. People are scared, and they don’t know where to turn,” Hart said.
The hotline is still manned, 24/7, but the staff is spending a lot of time on conference calls, Zoom meetings and webinars, learning how to protect the staff and clients against the virus, she said.
“But our main mission is domestic violence and sexual assault,” Hart said. “How do we provide these critical services during a pandemic?”
The statewide hotline number is 1-800-572-SAFE, where victims can receive information and referrals. Last year Womanspace received some 3,000 calls on their hotline, Hart said.
According to Brick Police Chief James Riccio, there were 52 calls in the township for domestic violence in January, 53 in February and 48 in March.
