My work centers around leading an organization that cares for women and children either fleeing or dealing with the effects of violence. One of the unexpected, or maybe more accurately, unintended consequences of government lockdowns is the very real struggle for many women who are now more isolated and trapped than prior to COVID restrictions.
As the article mentions, women often are not comfortable calling the police. Sometimes an officer is not a safe person to go to for many reasons. The challenge for our organization, and others similar to ours, is how to reach out to these women without revealing that we are doing so. Too often if the abuser finds out the woman is in contact with us they increase the violence and/or control.
We are collaborating as agencies and partnering with associations like EVA BC (Home – Ending Violence BC) to find creative ways to care for women during this time. We are incredibly grateful to funders like MPSSG and BC Housing for extra financial support for PPE’s (personal protective equipment) and technology. Organizations like EVA, Canadian Women’s Foundation (Canadian Women’s Foundation – Canadian Women’s Foundation) and the Victoria Foundation have also supported us with funds during this time.
We also collaborate with universities and continue discussions on how we can educate all genders about gender-based violence and psychological grooming (watch Netflix show – Jeffery Epstein: Filthy Rich). Education is a necessary part in shifting our culture away from this kind of violence.
My own experience of violence and abuse at times ‘numbs’ me to remember the realities that so many women face. It is common to experience flashbacks and disassociation in order to deal with the after-effects and emotions surrounding these experiences. I am no stranger to either experience. I have to continually commit myself to receiving outside support through friends, colleagues and my counseller/coach. It is easy to slip back into a place of self-isolation and silence. Working with CWAV (Cowichan Women Against Violence) allows me to be supported and reminded.