Ever since governments around the world began instating stay-at-home and self isolation orders due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, experts have expressed concern for those who are now forced to confine themselves in abusive households.
After reports of spikes in domestic violence cases in both developed and underdeveloped countries, U.N. chief António Guterres issued a call for peace in homes across the world.
“The combination of economic and social stresses brought on by the pandemic, as well as restrictions on movement, have dramatically increased the numbers of women and girls facing abuse, in almost all countries,” reads a statement from the U.N.
One Vancouver-based crisis line for women experiencing domestic violence has reported a 300 per cent increase in the number of calls they received over the past three weeks, according to various news reports.
A recent report based on a survey conducted by Statistics Canada shows that one in every 10 people is very or extremely concerned about the possibility of violence in their home due to added stress of financial and other hardships incurred as a result of the pandemic.
But in Victoria, phone lines for transition houses and police reports appear to suggest that there is no increase in domestic violence or intimate partner crime in the city during our period of lockdown.
Greater Victoria by the numbers
Compared to March 2019, the number of domestic violence reports received in various municipalities across Greater Victoria in the month of March 2020 saw either a decline or no change.
Victoria Police reported a decline in the number of domestic violence reports since last year, stating that they received 22 calls in March 2020 compared to 25 in the same period in 2019.
Similarly, the municipality of Saanich received seven fewer domestic abuse calls during the global pandemic lockdown period than they did last year.
Both Sidney RCMP and Oak Bay Police reported no difference in the number of intimate partner violence cases they investigated in both years. Other detachments in Greater Victoria were not able to provide information in time for publication.
Saanich Police spokesperson Cst. Markus Anastasiades expressed optimism upon hearing that there were no increases in calls across the board, but cautioned that “the numbers don’t always paint the entire picture” – and rightly so.
According to Joanne Linka, spokesperson for The Cridge Centre for the Family here in Victoria, the organization has received 50 per cent fewer calls for support from women in violent homes than they normally do this time of year.
The Cridge Centre operates a Transitional House for women, with or without children, who are looking to escape emotionally, psychologically, or physically abusive households.
However Linka says fewer calls do not mean there are fewer instances of abuse happening during this period of lockdown.
Reasoning behind concerns
Even in the best of times, people living in abusive households tend to reach out to crisis lines and transition centres more often than they report to police, says Linka.
She also believes that women are struggling to reach out for help now more than ever as they are isolated and stuck in the same household as their abuser day in and day out.
“When you’re confined at home with your abuser, the opportunity isn’t there to ask for help when you need it,” said Linka in a phone interview with Victoria Buzz.
“We’re expecting that this is a lull, and we will see an increase in calls as women are able to make the call once the crisis is over.”
Another reasoning behind lower domestic violence reports in Victoria could be that women are reaching out more to provincial and national crisis lines rather than local transitional houses, thinking they can get the support they need over the phone, says Linka.
Many may also fear the risks of COVID-19 transmission for themselves and their children if they stop self isolating at home and seek help at a shelter.
Available options
To ease these fears, Linka provides the assurance that the Cridge Transition House for Women remains open and is taking every precaution to ensure that the facility is clean and people staying there can physically distance from each other.
Other shelters on the island have initiated similar protocols in their response to COVID-19.
“When women call us, we recognize that they are in a difficult situation and may be at risk even as they’re making that call. Our staff are trained to respond to that as needed,” says Linka.
“They [women] can expect first of all to speak to someone who is ready to listen, to care, and to certainly do all that they can to offer them support, whether it’s a referral or working on a safety plan. We have an individualized approach to supporting women.”
In addition to keeping their 18 beds open for women and children fleeing abusive homes, the Cridge also employs an outreach worker to help those facing gender-based violence navigate the legal or custody system and access other supports.
She is also responsible for supporting women over the phone and informing them about their options and the steps to reaching safety.
According to Linka, this worker has seen a 20 per cent increase in her workload during this pandemic compared to the same period of time last year.
The greatest challenges for women in abusive households right now, of course, is maintaining their own safety while “being stuck in a confined spot with someone who brutally beats you,” says Linka.
“I would imagine there are a lot of women just struggling to stay alive and to keep themselves and their children safe. That’s just a horrifying reality but that’s where we’re at.”
“Here in Victoria, we’re very privileged to have multiple transition houses and all kinds of services available to women… Is there room to do more? Absolutely.”
Government funds women’s shelters and sexual assault centres
In response to growing concerns about an uptick in domestic violence, whether reported or not, the federal government is providing millions of dollars to support women’s shelters and sexual assault centres across the country.
Through this initiative, $26 million is being granted to Women’s Shelters Canada which will distribute the amount to approximately 575 women shelters across Canada.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation will also be distributing $4 million to sexual assault centres across the country.
An additional $10 million will be provided to Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) existing network of 46 emergency shelters on reserve and in Yukon to support Indigenous women and children fleeing violence.
Organizations that are eligible to receive funding from the federal government are expected to be contacted directly this week.
In British Columbia, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, Mitzi Dean is encouraging victims of domestic violence or abuse to contact VictimLinkBC at 1 800 563-0808 or by email at VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca.
“While people across the province are staying home to stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect us all, for some, home is not a safe place. We know that social isolation is making life harder for women and children who live in unstable or violent situations,” said Dean in a statement on Wednesday.
“If you reach out for help, we will make sure there is a safe space during this emergency – no matter where you live in B.C.”
Resources
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse on Vancouver Island can access support and assistance through the following resources:
- Call VictimLinkBC at 1 800 563-0808 or by email at VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
- The Cridge Transition House for Women – (250) 479-3963
- Victoria Sexual Assault Centre – (250) 383-3232
- Victoria Women’s Transition House – (250)592-2927
- Haven Society (Nanaimo) – (250)756-2452
- Sooke Transition House Society (Port Renfrew) – (250)642-2543
- Cowichan Women Against Violence Society (Duncan) – (250)748-7000
