PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread across the globe, home was the safest place to be. However, for others, sheltering in place meant facing another life-threatening health crisis.
Communities across the nation saw an alarming rise in domestic violence in 2020.
The increase in violence came as families faced mounting stressors related to COVID-19, like isolation, school closures and record-breaking unemployment.
Even as businesses and schools have reopened and jobs have begun to hire again, the work of domestic violence advocates and counselors is just beginning.
Michelle Ellis Young says organizations like the YWCA are ready to help survivors navigate the long-term impacts of the abuse they experienced.
“It’s economic resiliency that we’re trying to help them build, it’s the stable housing that we’re trying to help them build. it’s the mental capacity that we’re trying to reestablish and helping people to be mentally healthy,” said Young. “So our counselors and our advocates are being hit in a number of ways to make sure that the long-term plans that we are building for our clients’ success will truly help them to be successful in their transition from violence into victory.”
Avalon Center in Williamsburg
- Phone: 757-258-5022
- Offers transitional housing, emergency shelter, youth services, legal advice and counseling.
- 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 757-258-5051
- Website: avaloncenter.org
Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Hotline number: 757-787-1329
- Offers: emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, individual counseling, safety planning, children’s services, legal advocacy, accompaniment during hospital visits and court appearances and support groups to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Website: escadv.org
Samaritan House Inc. in Virginia Beach
- Phone: 757-631-0710
- Offers counseling, emergency shelter placement and safety planning.
- 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-430-2120
H.E.R. Shelter in Portsmouth
- Phone: 757-485-1445
- Offers emergency services, court assistance, shelter, employment and housing assistance.
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 757-485-3384
- Website: hershelter.com
The Genieve Shelter in Suffolk
- Phone: 757-925-4365
- Offers emergency shelter and crisis services.
- Crisis Hotline 757-705-2025 or 757-353-1439
- Contáctanos para ayuda inmediata 1-800-969-4673
- Website: thegenieveshelter.org
Transitions Family Violence Services in Hampton
- Phone: 757-722-2261
- Offers emergency shelter, crisis services, court advocacy, and counseling.
- 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-723-7774
- Website: transitionsfvs.org
YWCA South Hampton Roads in Norfolk
- Phone: 757-625-4248
- Offers emergency shelter and crisis services.
- 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-251-0144
- Website: ywca-shr.org
National Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline: 1-888-3737-888.
Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force: 757-430-2120
Blue Campaign to bring an end to Human Trafficking
Prevent Child Abuse America – Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others.
Child abuse and neglect are serious problems that can have lasting harmful effects on its victims. For more information on preventing child abuse and neglect check out resources from the CDC, or call The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 for help.
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