When the world came to a screeching halt in March of 2020, WSCADV mobilized. Messages of “stay home, stay safe” permeated our communities, leaving survivors of abuse alone in their experience of increased isolation and danger. What do you do during a pandemic when your home is not a safe one? Survivors and their children needed domestic violence programs to be there for them. And programs needed help figuring out how to adjust their services to meet safety guidelines and emerging needs. WSCADV was there for local programs so they could be there for their community.
Our pragmatic action included:
- Getting over 9,000 protective masks in the hands of domestic violence advocates when COVID hit;
- Securing over $1.4 Million for emergency financial assistance for survivor households and to keep the doors open at domestic violence programs;
- Helping advocates across the state adapt survivor services during the pandemic with 87 virtual trainings, “Member Monday” virtual gatherings for peer support, and a COVID response resource with information on how to follow health guidelines at a shelter and best practices for safety and confidentiality when using mobile devices to communicate with survivors.
Our membership response included:
- Opening a neighborhood mutual aid center at Family Crisis Network, our member program in Pend Oreille County, that provided food, personal care items, face masks, and cold weather gear;
- Hosting a Facebook Live event by Aspen Victim Advocacy Services of Kittitas County, to connect with young people and talk about teen dating violence.
- Using WSCADV resources, like our Love Like This series, to provide an online violence prevention program at Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse in Whitman County.