Home isolation due to COVID-19 raises concerns about domestic violence

Women’s shelters are bracing for an increase in calls for help as the government urges people to stay home to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

“We have not seen an increase yet, not at this point, but we are predicting this is the calm before the storm,” said Jennifer Gauthier, executive director at Women’s Place of South Niagara. “Being forced to self-isolate puts women who aren’t safe at home at a larger risk. Abusers have more access and more opportunities and stressers are so high right now.”

Women’s Place of South Niagara’s two shelters — Women’s Place in Niagara Falls and Serenity Place in Welland — are open, but several changes have been implemented in light of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s really important that women who need help know that we’re still open and we’re still there to support them,” Gauthier said.

Both shelters have suspended all non-essential visits.

“We want to protect all of our resident and staff from the outbreak,” Gauthier said. “Trying to protect a communal living environment under these circumstances is quite difficult.”

All in-person, non-crisis outreach services are temporarily suspended, including transitional and housing support and family court support/legal advocacy.

Support lines continue to operate — in Niagara Falls at 905356-5800 and at 905-788-0113 in Welland.

Also, residents are being asked to hold onto their donations for the annual Book Riot. Typically, donations are accepted throughout the year at a storage facility in Niagara Falls.

“We value our volunteers and their health and safety is a priority … we couldn’t do what we do without them,” Gauthier said. “We don’t want them out at the storage facility sorting books.”

The pandemic has placed the hugely popular book sale, the agency’s largest fundraiser, in jeopardy as organizers are unsure at this point if the event will go on.

The event, believed to be the largest second-hand book sale in Canada, attracts an average 4,000 book lovers each year. It is to take place in June at Gale Centre in Niagara Falls.

“Last year, it raised us over $70,000,” Gauthier said. “If we are not able to fundraise this year, it will have a significant impact on us.”