Ohio’s Stay At Home order aims to keep people safe and prevent further spread of the coronavirus, but home is not a safe place for everyone. For those experiencing intimate partner violence or other forms of abuse, these restrictions can cause even more strain on relationships.
Audrey Starr, Director of Marketing and Communications at YWCA Dayton, says many effects of the pandemic, such as job loss and stress about health, can be triggers for abusers. Not having time away from abusers can also make it more difficult for people to reach out for help.
“A lot of people in abusive situations, one of the only times that they got some peace and felt safe were due to school and work,” she said. “Not being able to leave the house for those eight hours a day, that previously had been your respite, is important.”
But she says organizations like YWCA Dayton are experienced at helping people in crisis.
“This is the work that we do. We have a saying ‘We're not new to this. We're true to this,’” she said. “We work in trauma. We work in crisis 24/7, 365. This is just an additional level of crisis.”
Their team responds to direct messages on social media and continues to accept walk-ins. YWCA Dayton’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline 937-222-7233 continues to operate. Starr said the crisis hotline is not only for people ready to leave an abusive situation.
“We can do everything on the spectrum from providing supportive listening to safety planning for your current situation, all the way to and through emergency shelter,” she said. “It's not a one size fits all approach.”
Links to Area Resources
YWCA Dayton
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 937-222-7233
Artemis Center
24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 937-461-4357
Daybreak
Services for homeless youth in the Miami Valley
Crisis Hotline: (937) 461-1000
Family Services
Counseling and family advocacy services in the Miami Valley
