As always, please call 911 in an emergency.
“The Arlington Police Department is committed to staying up to date on available domestic violence resources in the Arlington area,” Family Services Inspector Rebecca Gallagher said. “We are truly thankful for the support these organizations provide to survivors of domestic violence and grateful they are committed to continuing this work through these unprecedented times.”
With the increase in social distancing due to Covid-19, domestic violence may increase in the home as survivors must stay home and are unable to separate themselves from their abuser.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline advises that, though staying home and avoiding public spaces may help reduce the spread of Covid-19, staying home may not be the safest option for survivors. Situations like Covid-19 can add additional stress and financial strain and can create unsafe environments for survivors. Covid-19 may also be used by abusers to control victims.
This may include preventing survivors from seeking medical attention if they are experiencing symptoms of the virus or using the virus as a scare tactic to isolate survivors and keep them from seeing children or family members.
“We want anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence to know that, even in the unique and unsure time we are in, resources remain available for anyone who needs them at any time,” Chief Juliann Flaherty said in a March 27 news release.
This news announcement was published Saturday, March 28. The writer works for John Guilfoil Public Relations, which provides news releases to the town.
