Covid-19, the realities
As a rural anti-violence agency we are always mindful and make every effort to be prepared for crisis related events and realities; murder suicide, threats from the community, influenza, missing persons and the ongoing need for systemic change on many levels.
We are engaged in all levels of partnership opportunities, we engage with local politicians, we have an active presence and voice on social media and we are leaders in our community and beyond.
Covid-19 has brought with it many challenges and the need to constantly modify, discuss, change and take action. We have proudly navigated the need for increased precautions, pressures on our programs, and co lead in the self-isolation centre in our County.
We continue to ensure that the focus of our work remains the women and children and have witnessed and supported the impacts of Covid as a tool to support abusers in the cycle of power and control.
So what does this really mean?
Our shelter is over full, our second stage program is full, our crisis calls increased by 75% from the monthly calls of April 2019 to monthly calls in April 2020. Incidents of violence are increasing, OPP are seeing similar increases as well. Isolation was already a rural reality and with Covid, the notion of staying home became “mandated” so to speak and this impact increased risk for many. Our community support team has made a solid effort to maintain counselling appointments and have been very creative in approach, porch pick-ups and drop offs have become strategic. Our team has met regularly and relaunched in person direct support June 2020 with a staggered work and appointment schedule to reduce chances of exposure. Assessment, precautions, masks, social distancing and temperature taking are now standard within the work.
Our community has been a source of reliability. Donations, driver support, food and space, cell phones, PPE, fundraising efforts, radio and blog posts, and general care, have been outstanding. We created an art piece at our store front, thanks to two amazing local artists, and it speaks to our work, our due diligence and our commitment to ending all forms of violence.
There are many women and their children in our County who are enduring violence as I write and we continue to be at the other end of the phone line and we make every effort to encourage safe disruption of the cycle.
But what remains and what has become even more glaringly obvious are the issues of inequity, the lack of inclusion of the lived realities of victims of violence, the use of Covid by abusers and the ongoing risk that remains.
Lack of face to face supports in other sectors create barriers to service and system navigation. Housing and the lack thereof supports barriers and fear and anxiety issues seem even more insurmountable as things stay the same or the threats become more tangible. Trauma is real.
It is critical that there is an understanding of congregate living environments, anti-violence agencies and women’s existing courage coupled with the new world order that continues its evolution.
Custody and access complexities are unavoidable as Covid is played consistently. Court delays both in family as well as criminal matters create increased fear and relived trauma especially in matters of sexual assault where abusers are still out and lingering.
What if kids go to school? What if they don’t? How do women in transition make this decision in a time of uncertainty? What if mom returns to work? What if she doesn’t? What if she doesn’t have benefits? What if she doesn’t have access to PPE and supports? What if wearing a mask triggers the trauma of when she was forced to “keep quiet” as her face was covered as she was being raped? What if she doesn’t wear a mask?
What happens to low income neighborhoods where access is limited yet Covid exposure is high? What about families in transition due to violence, homelessness or human trafficking? What about those living in poverty? What about those being evicted as the landlord has lost their job and is selling so “outing” tenants?
What about rural realities related to internet service, online capacity, and families with multiple children?
Once again, the inequities rooted in gender, location, poverty, disproportionate barriers and racism toward black, and poc communities, seniors and people with disabilities, is not new but is more magnified as this pandemic impacts.
A generic response “for all” continues to ignore the existing systemic issues and puts it all back on the people to make a “choice”.
As a feminist, women run, women led organization, our position is that this is not good enough. The inequities must be addressed by real and meaningful change. The blatant disregard of the lived realities of the highest % of our population in a time of unrest is not good enough. The “next steps” for all are not good enough when they don’t include so many.
Are we really in this together?? Who is the we people speak of?
Action is not for “some” or for “those”. Action is for ALL. We must unite in solidarity, use our voices, and demand for healthy, respectful and safe choices for all.
Doing nothing is NOT an option
So be engaged. Take a position. Extend a hand up. Not only be a part of the solution, help create it.
I am grateful for being able to use my words and my voice to express my truth and I am honoured to navigate a circle with amazing humans who don’t accept what is not “good enough”.
– Erin Lee
“Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now. “Audre Lorde
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker
