Support for women
Pandemic ‘an absolute gift to abusers’: Jenny Wright
Social isolation means people living with domestic violence are at increased risk of harm because they are stuck at home with their abusers.
Social isolation means people living with domestic violence are at increased risk of harm because they are stuck at home with their abusers.
It’s been one month since Laura Winters, executive director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council, told The Telegram that the council was already seeing an increase in calls from women in abusive situations.
Women’s advocate Jenny Wright, a member of the expert advisory panel with the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, calls the situation “an absolute gift to abusers.”
“It’s a horrific situation for women to be in, and we are starting to see the effects of that across Canada. With some calls that are coming in, we’re seeing that the abuse is far more acute, (and) women are afraid,” she said.
SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE 24-7 PHONE LINE
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, some are calling for increased supports for women and children.
“There’s a real, high risk of a woman being murdered when she tries to leave. We know this clearly. So, let’s ensure that we have safety and supports in there. And this has been one of my greatest frustrations throughout this pandemic, is the lack of government responses. We’re not hearing that,” said Wright.
“We’re not hearing that there’s a 24-7 line open that women could call, we’re not hearing about extended hours at shelters, we’re not hearing about emergency money to transport women out of rural and remote communities.”
Wright said some things that could be in place include:
• Daily messages from the government and police about supports and services that are open, including “a very clear and robust plan so that women know where the supports are, what is open and how that they can access those supports. I would start with a 24-7 number that has text capacity.”
• Extra money for shelters for critical staffing so they can adapt to increased need, as well as take in women and children who may be positive for COVID-19.
An increased presence of policing, counselling or women’s organizations at places where women can still go, such as grocery stores or pharmacies. “Where a woman, in a moment, can just go there and say, ‘I need help now.’”
Adapt resources that are already in place, such as Bridge the gapp, 811 Healthline or the 24-hour sexual assault crisis line, so they can also respond to domestic violence. “We have to look at where services can be adaptable during COVID response,” said Wright.
She said there are plenty of services in the province, but they are all underfunded and under-resourced, posing added challenges at a time when they have to adapt their resources to the pandemic response.
CONCERNS WITH POLICE REPORTING
Meanwhile, on April 22, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) tweeted, “It is important to report any suspicion of abuse in our communities. We continue our work to detect intimate partner violence and identify abusers in our community.” The tweet included a list of RNC phone numbers to call to report.
Wright said she was happy to see a policing response around domestic violence at this time, and she’d like to see daily PSAS from police on this topic.
However, Wright said she is also concerned with the RNC’S call to report suspicion of abuse.
“A woman’s chances of being murdered are significantly higher in the act of leaving. So, that means we have to be sure that the services are there for her, that she can safely get herself out and her children out, if necessary. What we do know here in Newfoundland and Labrador is that supports and services for women are very patchy throughout the province.”
Wright said it’s a particular concern for women experiencing abuse who live in remote and rural areas.
She wonders what commitment police have to keeping women safe when they respond to such calls, and whether they are able to get women to a safe place.
“This idea of immediately calling the police in order to save that woman becomes really concerning if she has nowhere to go.”
Wright said if it is known women and children are at increased risk right now, and police are calling for people to report these situations, there needs to be pressure on the government to ensure there are services and supports in place to respond.
She said she is not suggesting that people not call police.
“I encourage people to be nosy at this time. One of the things about bystander intervention is you don’t mind your own business. You ask the question. ‘I’ve seen this. I’m worried about you. Are you OK? Will you come home with me?’ Those sorts of things. And begin those conversations that way so that women have a chance to try the best that they can to plan for their leaving in the best possible and safest way that they want to do. Of course, if you hear something at all that seems like women or children are being harmed, absolutely call the police.”
MINISTER OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS
RNC communications officer Const. James Cadigan said Const. Lindsay Dillon with the intimate partner violence unit is a great resource for people who want to report suspicions of abuse, or who are in an abusive situation.
He said Dillon can offer guidance and information about the kinds of resources the RNC can offer, such as the lock exchange program, a cellphone so women can stay connected, a program to protect family pets when women need to leave an abusive situation and connections with community partners such as Iris Kirby House.
“We have a follow-up process through our intimate partner violence unit. The members in that unit keep in contact with victims and survivors, and put safety plans into effect, and work together to ensure that measures can be taken,” said Cadigan.
Justice Minister Andrew Parsons said he is extremely concerned about what the pandemic means for people living with domestic violence.
He said he is open to suggestions about how people can be best supported at this time.
“We are all monitoring our social media a little more closely, and I’ve seen some really innovative thoughts and approaches from across the world, because this is an everywhere issue.”