Domestic Violence Cases Rise in 2020 Pandemic

 By Brooke Stuhr

The pandemic brought a lot of things into light, one of those is the rise in domestic abuse.  

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in 2020, there is an average of more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic abuse hotlines on a typical day.

“The most important thing for victims to know is that they are believed.  We believe them,” said Sandra Blatchford, Director at the South Shore Women’s Resource Center.

 

There are around seven organizations in the greater Brockton area that offer domestic abuse services, including, Health Imperatives which sponsors Penelope's Place.  Penelope’s Place 
offers services to those looking to flee domestic violence or need someone to walk them through a transitional phase.

 

Getting out of an abusive situation can be difficult.  “We never tell a victim to leave their abuser.  Often times the relationship is complex and there are times where there is love,” said Blatchford. “Reaching out to us does not mean you have to leave that individual” 

 

“When you’re in situations when you are ready to move on and ready to flee it’s important to know that there are options and help is waiting for you,” said Quianna S, a relief staff member at Penelope’s Place.  “We will walk them through a safety plan and support them when they flee.”

 

Other organizations in the area are The Women's Center in New Bedford, A New Hope in Attleboro, A New Day in Brockton, and The South Shore Women’s Resource Center in Plymouth.

 

Abuse isn’t just physical.  Abuse can be emotional, verbal, financial, and sexual.  

 

“Psychological abuse can be the source of battered women syndrome.  A lot of women were physically abused…but more are emotionally abused,” said Dana Curhan, an appellate attorney who specializes in joint venture cases.

Things can change, though.

  “Reach out for help and  try to be cooperative as possible because it will help the court process,” said Katie Currul-Dykeman, a Criminology Professor at Stonehill College who specializes in domestic violence cases.

 

According to specialists like Blatchford and Curhan, if you are questioning whether you are in an abusive relationship, chances are that you are in some way.  Ask yourself the question “what would happen if you did something your partner didn’t want you to do?” or “are there times you’ve questioned what you have seen or said?”

 

 “Calling a 24/7 help hotline can be a great step in the right direction” said an operator at the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline which can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).