Imagine having to live with someone who hurts you during COVID-19 shelter-at-home orders. Victims of family violence are spending more and more time with their abusers, and job loss, economic stress and anxiety are all factors leading to increased violence. Because they must stay at home, victims may not be able to access supportive services, or even reach out to friends and family for help.
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recent study by UT Dallas found a 12.5% increase in domestic violence during shelter-at-home orders. Victims in our community need our help now more than ever, and The Family Place is here to provide everything they need to escape the cycle of violence. Our hotline workers are available 24 hours a day for anyone calling for help, our counselors are providing virtual counseling sessions if victims cannot leave their homes, and our shelters have put practices into place to make sure we can continue accepting new clients and keep our current clients and staff safe and healthy.
Since March, we have provided shelter to 577 women, children and men, answered 1,661 hotline calls and provided counseling to 986 victims. We need your support now to continue providing these lifesaving services to victims of family violence. Please make a donation today to help ensure that victims have the resources they need to rebuild their lives free from abuse.