Domestic Violence Snapshot in Connecticut During COVID-19
Thursday, April 09, 2020
With domestic violence organizations seeing an increase in calls for help, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) and our 18 member organizations want to remind everyone that help is available 24/7 throughout COVID-19. CCADV offers the following data available from various stakeholders within Connecticut’s domestic violence response system:
CT Safe Connect/Statewide Hotline
Contact to Safe Connect, Connecticut’s centralized domestic violence resource hub, has been consistent. There were 1,060 contacts in January, 1,284 contacts in February, and 1,314 contacts in March. 7% of individuals who contacted Safe Connect over the past two weeks expressed concerns related specifically to COVID-19. The majority of victims and survivors seeking assistance through Safe Connect do so via phone call as opposed to chat or email (texting is temporarily unavailable during this remote work period).
Member Organizations/Local Services
CCADV’s 18 domestic violence organizations have reported viewing an increased need, all related to COVID-19, in the following areas:
- 91% - basic needs such as toiletries, clothing, etc.
- 82% - food insecurity
- 82% - behavioral health needs (e.g., some have noted that longtime clients are in need of additional emotional supports.)
COVID-19 issues that are driving increased needs include:
- 82% - food insecurity (inability to access/find them)
- 73% - lack of basic needs (inability to access/find them)
- 73% - children’s needs (e.g., educational needs, providing distance learning at home)
- 73% - housing concerns (e.g., concerns that they could lose their housing because they have lost their jobs)
This has resulted in CCADV’s member organizations having to provide increased services in areas such as:
- 90% - increase providing services related to basic needs
- 80% - increase providing housing advocacy services
- 60% - increase assisting victims obtain public benefits
Domestic Violence Rapid Rehousing
30 families fleeing domestic violence have been housed or begun the housing process through Connecticut’s Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Rapid Rehousing program since mid-March.
Law Enforcement
Some police departments are seeing a slight increase in calls, while others are seeing consistent numbers or a slight decrease. CCADV surveyed police departments across the state and, of those that responded (two-thirds of the state), there was an 8% increase in calls during the first quarter (January – March) of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019.
Court-Based Needs
Requests for restraining orders appear to have declined during the final two weeks of March. Following an executive order issued by Governor Lamont last week, the family violence restraining order application can now be completed entirely online. This may impact this data moving forward given that some victims had expressed concerns about going to a courthouse during a public health crisis.
“We know that this period of social distancing presents increased opportunities for domestic violence,” said Karen Jarmoc, chief executive officer, CCADV. “While we are not necessarily viewing a significant increase in requests for help across various systems, we can see that COVID-19 is having an impact on the ability of victims to access basic needs, which can certainly exacerbate an already abusive relationship. Advocates across the state are being creative and flexible in helping victims access these critical needs.”
At its core, domestic violence is about control. Given that abusers may feel out of control about several aspects of their life during this public health crisis, such as with employment and finances, they may seek to increase control over other aspects, such as their relationship. Even outside of a public health crisis, abusers’ unemployment tends to contribute to increased abuse within an already abusive relationship. Increased isolation resulting from social distancing can also present issues for victims.
“Isolation is a key tactic used by abusers to control their victims,” said Debra A. Greenwood, President & CEO of The Center for Family Justice, which serves Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. “While necessary during a public health crisis, stay-at-home orders make it even more difficult for victims to seek support. The fact that their abuser is constantly home limits when victims can reach out. This has required advocates to adapt safety planning procedures given that a victim may only have a few minutes apart from their abuser.”
“Social connectedness is critical for victims and survivors at a time like this,” said Kai Belton, Clinical Director of Safe Connect. “We encourage everyone to stay in touch with their friends and family, particularly if you already suspect someone may be in an abusive relationship. Let them know that help is available 24/7 whenever they are ready.”
CCADV will continue to work with our partners to monitor service requests across various systems so that we may adapt and respond to changing needs throughout this public health crisis. We are working closely with other frontline workers to ensure that the necessary tools and information about accessing services are provided to victims at all possible touchpoints.
Domestic violence services are accessible through CT Safe Connect 24 hours per day, 7 days per week via call, chat and email at www.CTSafeConnect.org or (888) 774-2900 (please note that texting is temporarily unavailable). Advocates can provide counseling, safety planning, risk assessment, assistance with a restraining order application, and a safe connection to the local CCADV member domestic violence organization for ongoing support and services. Bilingual services are available. All services are confidential, safe, free and voluntary.
