Beth Casady, executive director, Marquette Women's Center

MARQUETTE — Over 77,000 victims of domestic violence in the U.S. were served by domestic violence programs in just one day in 2019, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Of these victims, 3,204 were in Michigan.

For individuals who are experiencing domestic violence, the current public health situation with COVID-19 can expose additional dangers, a National Network to End Domestic Violence Facebook post states.

While there has not yet been a rise in domestic violence cases locally, a jump in cases is expected, said Beth Casady, executive director of the Marquette Women’s Center.

The Women’s Center, which has offices in Marquette, Munising and a satellite office at K.I. Sawyer, remains open during this time to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“I think what we really expect is — as the governor lessons these restrictions about social distancing and there’s more freedom for people to go out — that we’re going to be very busy because people are going to make the decision that they need to get some sort of help,” Casady said.

While most people feel more safe remaining in their homes during this time of uncertainty, home is the most dangerous place for those who face domestic violence, she said.

Abusers control their victims not only through physical abuse, but through emotional and financial abuse, she said. Abusers may withhold items such as hand sanitizer and disinfectants, keep victims from seeking medical attention and more at this time. Victims will often withstand more abuse in certain circumstances to protect their children.

“Even though it’s really quiet right now in Marquette — and it’s kind of quiet throughout the state — we know that it’s going on,” she said. “People just can’t get out from under control to get help and often too, they’re hunkering in and they’re on survival mode for their children. And they’re doing what they need to do in order to keep some safety with their kids and with themselves.”

With the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, alcohol sales have increased, which can often escalate instances of domestic violence, she said.

“Even though alcohol is not an excuse for it, I think alcohol can bring out that trait in many people if they have it who are abusers. And so certainly during this time when people are not going to work, they often probably are not being paid, there’s going to be more drinking within the home,” Casady said. “I think anytime you have drinking and anger, that’s a potential for a bad situation.”

The Women’s Center, while closed to the public, remains open to help victims during this time 24/7 and can be reached at 90-226-6611 or 800-455-6611.

Staff is speaking with clients via phone, Skype, Facebook messenger and other ways that may be helpful for victims.

The emergency shelter, the Harbor House, is always open.

Often, cell phones and computers might be controlled by abusers, which may prevent victims from seeking assistance, but there are still ways to help.

“This is a time for our community to be diligent about what is going on in their neighborhood, with their family members or with their friends,” Casady said. “If someone knows about a person who is in a domestic violence situation (think about) reaching out to them, giving them a call. Maybe you have a neighbor that you know the situation might not be really good… you might see them going out for a walk, maybe that’s time for you to get out of your house and — staying within a six-foot distance — saying to the person, ‘gee, how are things going? Are you safe? What can I do for you?”

Another idea from Casady is to talk with a neighbor about turning on a certain light in the home to signal for help if a victim is unable to call 911.

There are other methods of safety planning that can be taken to help victims according to the Women’s Center such as:

≤ Staying with friends or family

≤ Staying at a motel, some are reserving rooms specifically for victims

≤ Sleep in your vehicle

≤ Reach out to friends and family and make a plan

≤ Have a family member reach out for help on your behalf

≤ Let your support network know if they don’t hear from you at a certain time and date to call for help

≤ Make a new email address

≤ Use a friend’s phone or device to reach out for help

≤ Create passwords and pins on your devices but don’t save them or write them down

≤ Always log off

≤ Always have your phone on you and charged

≤ Always have your keys in a safe place where you can get to them quickly

≤ Create codewords with your friends and children to alert them of unsafe situations

≤ If you know that domestic violence happens in a certain place in your home a safety plan can help so you can be at a different place in your home at a different time to curb violence

“It’s little simple things like that,” she said. “We’re just asking the community to be very vigilant about what’s going on around them and you might save someone’s life.”

The Women’s Center is adhering to social distancing guidelines and taking the appropriate precautions at their buildings as laid out by the CDC and the Marquette County Health Department.

Help is also available to victims through the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY. Those unable to speak safely can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.

Trinity Carey can be reached at tcarey@miningjournal.net.