Sheltering Survivors During COVID-19
Update on Domestic Violence Work During COVID-19
Like most of you, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena has been laser focused on the news of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As a provider of emergency and social services for the most vulnerable members of our community, we understand that we play a critical role in maintaining both the health and safety of those seeking our services. We are classified as an essential business under the Safer at Home Orders for the State of California and Los Angeles County; our domestic violence shelter will remain open during this time. We encourage all clients and survivors with questions to call: 1-(888)-999-7511.
Based on the evolving response to COVID-19, in Los Angeles County and the State of California, we have taken additional steps to protect our clients, staff, and community:
- In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communal living environment, we have temporarily suspended receiving in kind donations outside of cleaning products and non perishable food items at our Lexington headquarters. If you wish to help, please donate financially or donate the following items: general cleaning supplies, hand soap, paper towels, lysol wipes, lysol spray, hand sanitizer, diapers, and non perishable food items. You can leave these at our front door for a contactless drop off, Monday-Thursday 9AM-1PM or purchase them through our Amazon emergency wish list and they will be directly delivered to us.
- Instructions have been provided to our clients about how they should respond if they experience flu like symptoms and a COVID-19 shelter plan has been implemented to safely house survivors.
Articles on COVID-19 and Domestic Violence featuring YWCA Glendale and Pasadena:
Los Angeles Times; 8/12/20 Op-Ed: Angelina Jolie: Why Children Suffer More Violence During COVID-19
Resources for Survivors compiled by the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence at Futures Without Violence:
- Remember that you are not alone and supports remain available to you
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free:1-800-799-7233 and through chat.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free:800.656.HOPE (4673) and through chat.
- The StrongHearts Native Helpline for domestic/sexual violence is available 7am-10pm CT, confidential, and specifically for Native communities:1?844-762-8483
- The Trans LifeLine for peer support for trans folks 9am-3am CT:1-877-565-8860 This hotline is staffed exclusively by trans operators is the only crisis line with a policy against non-consensual active rescue.
- The Deaf Hotline is available 24/7 through video phone (1-855-812-1001), email and chat for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled survivors.
- National Parent Helpline Monday -Friday 12pm-9am CT emotional support and advocacy for parents:1-855-2736
- Sheltering in Place recommendations or restrictions may create additional difficulties and risks for survivors. If authorities call for “shelter in place” in your area, are there other friends or family you could stay with during this time? Consider reaching out to these people to make a plan:
- Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, co-worker, or family member who could check in with you about your safety and support needs. If you need help identifying support people in your life, take a look at the pod mapping worksheet from the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective.
- Are you connected with close friends or family members of the person who is hurting you? Are they aware of what is happening or are they a safe person to reach out to? Consider connecting with them now in case you need someone to help you in an emergency.
- Domestic Violence Community Watchlist PDF
Safety Plans and Self-Care:
- Staying Safe During COVID-19 from the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- Mantenerse segurx durante COVID-19 – La Línea Nacional Contra la Violencia Doméstica
- Safer Drug Use During The Covid19 Outbreak by the Harm Reduction Coalition
- COVID-19 guidance for people experiencing homelessness without shelter from Multnomah County
- What if you can’t stay home? from StreetSheet (some CA specific info)
- What do older adults and people with disabilities need to know? from the Administration for Community Living
- COVID-19 information in many languages
- Resources for Undocumented People/ Recursos Para Personas Indocumentadas Coronavirus (some CA specific info)
- Frequently Asked Questions Involving Courts and COVID-19 /Preguntas Frecuentes sobre las Cortes y el COVID-19 from the WomensLaw.org.
Community Care:
- Social distancing does not have to lead to social isolation. We can take care of each other in this crisis and reach out to loved ones, friends, neighbors and colleagues to see if they have the care and support they need, and if they feel safe at home. Here are some ways to do that:
- Friends + Family Guide: How to help someone who is in an abusive relationship from the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Are you close with someone who you know or suspect may be hurting or controlling their partner or a family member, and feeling more stress while in close quarters? Can you reach to be a resource for de-escalation, stress regulation, and listening? (without colluding in the violent or harmful behavior)
Consider sending a message like this: “ I know things feel scary and stressful right now. Could we talk on the phone sometime later today so we can support each other and check in?”
- Coronavirus: Wisdom from a Social Justice Lens from Healing Justice Podcast
- In a Disaster that Calls for Isolation, Your Community will Help You Survive
- #WeGotThis: To Our Positive Women Network (PWN) Family Regarding the Coronavirus Epidemic from Positive Women’s Network
- coronavirus, climate change and community care by Susan Raffo
- NW Network guide for reducing isolation/ supporting LGBTQ survivors for family/friends/advocates
- Caring Across Distance: Some Things to Consider Before Movement Gatherings During COVID-19 By Maryse Mitchell-Brody