SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — During the COVID-19 lockdown last spring, there was a 12% increase in domestic violence calls, according to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services. Vera House, a non-profit that helps victims of domestic violence and abuse, saw a decrease in their own calls during the same period. Julie Lovenburg, a victim advocate for Vera House, said this trend was not surprising.
“Abusive behaviors or unhealthy behaviors in a relationship are exacerbated by no separation… I think tensions were high,” Lovenburg said.
Vera House offers multiple services, such as counseling, safety plans and legal services. During a pandemic, many people did not have access to Vera House because of the restrictions put into place by New York State. In order to keep reaching victims, Vera House adjusted their offerings.
The most impactful addition was their web chat. The web chat is a service where a victim can connect with an advocate from Vera House. The service is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
The web chat feature is a discreet way for victims of abuse to connect to support systems without the need to make a phone call. An unexpected positive from the addition of the web chat was the accessibility it created for demographics they hadn’t been able to reach before, Lovenburg said.
“The younger generation who isn’t really accustomed to or really enjoys using the phone, we weren’t hearing from them,” she said. “But they’re more comfortable contacting us online through a chat.”
She said younger generations tend to shy away from using phones, and she believes the probability of them picking up a phone to report domestic abuse is slim. This group can now use what is familiar to them, a phone to text and connect to someone that way.
Given COVID-19 restrictions and a limit on the amount of people who can gather in one space, Vera House moved some of their offerings to a virtual format as well.
“We have adapted our services to do them in person the way we did before but also do a lot of things virtually and remotely,” Lovenburg said.
Some services that are now being offered remotely are “teletherapy” and virtual counseling. Vera House created these two options in late March. Vera House still has in-person services available, which includes their shelter.
The shelter is used to house people who need to leave their homes. Their shelters are in a confidential location and the maximum amount of time someone can stay is three months. Vera House also provides therapy, counseling and other support options.
Lovenburg said these additions made during the pandemic make the agency more accessible. Instead of calling, victims can chat online and instead of going to the offices for counseling or therapy — those can be done remotely.
“I think we’re reaching people not only in a different way because of the pandemic, but because it’s more accessible to a bigger dynamic of people,” Lovenburg said.
