In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Safe Harbor has taken measures to protect clients and staff while still providing essential services to continue our mission. Counseling will be provided over the phone or through HIPAA-compliant video conferencing tools. We are also continuing our other services including providing shelter for those who need it. To protect clients in Safe Harbor houses, new clients will be placed in hotels.
Social distancing will put a strain on all of society but for those impacted by domestic violence, increased isolation may make their situation more difficult and more dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) put out information in late March of this year about how violence against women will likely escalate during the COVID-19 emergency. They cite information coming out of China, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. that shows an increase in domestic violence cases.
Safe Harbor’s director of counseling, Cindy Capriles, discussed these increased dangers with NBC 12 and how she is continuing to work with clients. Please click here to watch this piece to learn more about Safe Harbor’s work through COVID-19:
As Cindy explained, the Richmond Regional Hotline is working tirelessly to ensure 24/7 coverage for anyone needing to safety plan or for those who are in imminent danger due to sexual or domestic violence or human trafficking. To be connected to an advocate, please call (804) 612-6126. If it is not safe to call, text “Hello” to 741741 to be connected to the Crisis Text Line.
If you have not been financially impacted by Covid-19, there are ways you can help. While we are no longer accepting in-kind donations to our regional office, we encourage people who would like to help to mail Kroger gift cards that can be used to purchase food and cleaning supplies for clients to: Safe Harbor, PO Box 17996, Richmond, VA 23226. Visit this link to purchase gift cards, https://giftcards.kroger.com/our-store-cards/kroger. If you would prefer to make a financial donation, please visit https://safeharborshelter.com/donate/.
This global pandemic has created a new normal for all of us, but it’s a particularly difficult time for the most vulnerable in our society. We encourage you to check in with family, friends, and neighbors. And, of course, we wish everyone well as we navigate this crisis.