Covid-19 quarantining brings an increase in domestic violence

With families having to stay in their homes during the COVID-19 Illinois Stay-At-Home order, instances of domestic violence are rising and A Safe Place, Lake County’s largest domestic violence nonprofit, has seen a dramatic increase in the need for their services. Calls to their 24-hour crisis hotline have risen from 14 to 103 during the same time period last year, and clients needing emergency shelter have doubled.

“As this quarantine has unfolded, and people are forced to shelter in place with their abuser, an increase in domestic violence is another public health crisis we’re experiencing,” says Pat Davenport, CEO of A Safe Place. “We are above capacity in all of our programming offerings, but we must continue to protect our most vulnerable and let them know we are here for them.”

A Safe Place continues to provide counseling services to over 150 clients by teleconference through two 30-minute sessions per week, providing legal advocacy through their office at the Lake County Courthouse to assist individuals with orders of protection, and assistance with family visitations and custody visits. Through it all, A Safe Place continues to put the health and wellbeing of victims of domestic abuse and their children first, and have ramped up servicing to ensure needs are met. However, it’s not enough.

A Safe Place’s shelter capacity is 33 beds to comply with CDC guidelines; an additional 32 clients have been safely moved to alternative locations. As a result, we are now serving 65 clients a day at our emergency shelter. Davenport adds, “We have been prioritizing ‘life’ clients, meaning if a client’s life is in danger per law enforcement and public health records, and they are actively fleeing, we are taking them in. However, the need is much greater than this. If we had the funding to take in all domestic violence victims at this time, we would be providing hotel shelter to over 180 clients.”

No matter what, A Safe Place urges individuals experiencing domestic physical, emotional or verbal violence to call their 24-hour crisis line at 1.800.600.SAFE. If calling is not an option, A Safe Place recommends emailing info@asafeplace.org “Many contact us for information or with a question. Some may call about counseling for themselves or their children or for help with safety planning. Others need immediate, lifesaving help, and shelter,” says Davenport. “We provide the most comprehensive domestic violence services in Chicago, the North Shore area and communities in Wisconsin, and we are here to serve.”

Additionally, A Safe Place urges anyone who suspects a friend, family member, neighbor or acquaintance is suffering abuse, to reach out via the crisis line above or M-F 9am-5pm at 847.731.7165 or email at info@asafeplaceforhelp.org. “It’s important to recognize abuse happens among all income levels, ethnic groups and all cultures, all ages, all faiths and all education levels,” adds Davenport. “Now more than ever, it’s important we all work to protect our neighbors. We are in this together.”

To donate to A Safe Place to support life-altering services, please visit https://asafeplaceforhelp.org/get-involved/donate-now/. For additional ways to help, please call 847.731.7165.