密歇根新闻广播 家庭暴力避难所

 

For many people, staying at home has provided some sense of safety during the coronavirus pandemic. But for Michigan residents who live under the threat of domestic violence, staying home during an especially stressful time feels anything but safe.

Shelters that take in victims and their children are trying to protect their guests on multiple levels right now. People fearing abuse at home arrive at shelters where group settings present an increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.

When social distancing isn't an option

The YWCA of Metropolitan¹ Detroit runs the largest domestic violence emergency shelter in the state. It has 67 beds and, at times during the pandemic, has had as many as 71 people staying there, according to president and CEO Emma Peterson.

"We're a dorm-like facility. We have visiting nurses that come visit our program three times a week to check temperatures and to make sure that there is no indication that COVID exists within our program," Peterson tells Michigan Radio's Morning Edition. "We typically clean anywhere from five to seven times a day."

Peterson says they haven't had any clients with elevated temperatures or positive tests for COVID-19.

In West Michigan, Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence operates Ginny's Place. The shelter in the Holland area typically serves eight to nine families. It has individual rooms for clients, so there are opportunities for social distancing, but there are common spaces, including a kitchen.

Program director Megan Hennessey says Ottawa County has only advised the shelter to follow the self-monitoring advice given to all residents. Hennessey says they're not aware of any positive COVID cases at their facility and they try to reassure² residents about the situation.

"Please let us know if you are feeling sick because there are other options that it doesn't put you at risk of losing your temporary housing with us," she says. "We're going to figure out a way to keep you safe and and healthy at the same time."

More calls, different calls

According to Hennessey, Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence has seen a 66% increase in calls about services. She says the organization has raised funds to rent other spaces to serve as shelters because they currently have 25 families in need.

Peterson says the YWCA in Detroit has been getting a lot of calls from larger families lately. But during the pandemic, she has also noticed some potential clients aren't making it to the shelter after calling.

"Sometimes they may not show up. And we attribute it to their abuser being home and they can not leave as they would normally do because everybody is sheltering in place," Peterson says.

As for the people who have come and the employees working with them at the shelter, Peterson says there is not a sense of fear about COVID-19.

"The clients in our shelter, they seem to be at peace right now, as well as our staff," she says. "They really feel honored to serve the population that we serve."

The struggle for control

Hennessey says abusers often want a sense of total control. Unknowns created by the pandemic – health, jobs, finances – upend that feeling, making them more likely to continue their abuse.

"Survivors³ are incredibly resilient and they often will try to pick the best time to leave, even before COVID," she says. "I hear stories from survivors like, 'I do want to leave them. I just want to get through this pregnancy⁴ first.' Or, 'If I can just save up a little bit of money then I'm planning on leaving on such a such a date.' And so, I worry a little bit about the folks who aren't leaving right now, that don't feel like it's a safe world to kind of go out there."

1 metropolitan   

adj.大城市的，大都会的

参考例句：

• Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
• Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。

2 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

3 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

4 pregnancy   

n.怀孕，怀孕期

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕早期常有恶心的现象。
• Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage.怀孕期吸烟会增加流产的危险。