Focus of domestic violence awareness on COVID-related stress

MCHENRY COUNTY – Cooped up in your home won’t turn your spouse into an abuser. This should come as a relief for the many people staying at home or sheltering in place during this COVID-19 pandemic. However, for someone already with a history of abuse, the added stress can make the violence more frequent, according to Jane Zamudio, associate director at Turning Point of McHenry County.

“We are all familiar with the stress caused by the pandemic which includes employment, financial difficulties, mental health, substance use problems, issues with online schooling, lack of social contact, and fear for ourselves or our loved ones contracting the virus. For victims of domestic violence, these stressors can be extremely dangerous,” Zamudio said.

At the Turning Point offices in Woodstock earlier this month, Zamudio led her staff through their annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Because of COVID concerns, Turning Point changed the October event location from the Woodstock Square to the back patio of Turning Point and kept the event to staff from the domestic violence agency that helps men, women, and children.

Executive Director Jane Farmer has hosted the Candlelight Vigil on the Square for many years, but directed Zamudio to lead the Virtual Vigil this time and make sure the program would appear on Facebook Live for the women and children living in the Women’s Shelter.

“Turning Point’s very courageous and dedicated staff has been working throughout the pandemic as essential workers to assist victims and help them to stay safe,” Zamudio said. “Victims may be trapped in their homes with their abusers with fewer opportunities to access help and resources. At the same time, abusers can take advantage of the situation to gain more power and control and to escalate the violence,” Zamudio said.

The domestic violence helpline 815-338-8081 is available every day and night of the year. Emergency shelter is offered and counseling which can be done in person, on the phone, or by Zoom video, due to the pandemic. Zamudio says the Women’s Shelter has stayed open through the whole pandemic as the staff follows CDC protocol, taking temperatures, wearing masks, and staying six feet apart.

“A lot of people are doing counseling via phone or Zoom, so we can do video counseling making sure the person is safe before we video into their home,” Zamudio said.

When COVID hit, Turning Point initially stopped all in person counseling and all groups for about three or four months.

“We’re sort of at an average level where we normally are for crisis calls and orders of protection, but we are expecting a surge once COVID backs off and people have a little bit more freedom. Maybe more people are back to work in person, the victims can get out and seek help more easily,” Zamudio said.

Turning Point is doing okay with its funding and donations, according to staff, and they want to thank the community for its generosity and surge in donations.

Zamudio says, “A number of government grants have been available during COVID, so we’re alright and we are here to help.”

You, too, can support Turning Point whether through donations or in wearing a purple ribbon representing Domestic Violence Awareness throughout the month of October.