Help Break the Silence: Relationship Violence During Quarantine
Thursday, April 30
4 - 5:30 PM
On Zoom*
Facilitated by Kesha Ram
Featuring Panelists:
Sarah George, Chittenden County State's Attorney
Ana Burke, Steps to End Domestic Violence Interim Executive Director
Nikki Moyer, Burlington Police Department Corporal
SafeSpace Program Representative, Vermont PRIDE Center (invited)
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their ability to function. Additionally, 30 to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household. A report by the ACLU found that half of all homeless women and children in the US are fleeing from domestic violence. These realities are most likely being exacerbated while we are confined to our homes under quarantine restrictions, but there are still options for victims and survivors to seek safety and support.
Many people want to be helpful to friends and loved ones experiencing relationship violence, but might not know what to do after someone in your life discloses experiences of abuse and feelings of being unsafe at home. Please join us for a panel discussion on available resources, supports, and guidance to seek safety during the pandemic (and beyond) for someone sheltering in place with a potential abuser. We'll answer questions and provide resources on topics such as:
- Ways to support a loved one as you are determining if they are experiencing abuse.
- Contact information and current remote protocols of organizations providing resources and support to survivors.
- Tactics to safely aid community members of all ages facing relationship and household violence.
- Strategies for allies to foster education around the issue of relationship violence in ways that support survivors.
If you cannot be on the Zoom conference but still want to help, please keep these hotline numbers on hand and consider donating to these organizations as they continue their essential, life-saving work:
HOPE Works: (802) 863-1236
Steps to End Domestic Violence: (802) 658-1996
*Ensuring safety and confidentiality while also trying to promote accessibility is our utmost concern in offering this panel. Please RSVP to the Facebook event or email Kesha Ram at kesha@kesharam.com to receive the Zoom link. Aliases are welcome, but please do not use anonymous or vague names to enter the meeting. Anticipate a waiting room. We will offer ground rules, and anyone intentionally disrupting the safety of the space or using harmful language to others will be removed. Please let us know if any accommodations would be helpful to your full participation when you RSVP.
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