WALLA WALLA—In 2019, 326 women and 174 children spent a total of 8,268 nights of rest in Walla Walla YWCA Domestic Violence shelters. Additional support this organization provides individuals in Walla Walla and Columbia County include sexual assault counseling, legal assistance in completing protection orders and support for victims during legal proceedings.

With Governor Inslee’s 'Stay Safe, Stay Home' declaration in place, area residents are finding themselves in their homes 24/7, and that has some serious implications for providers of domestic violence services, said Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin, YWCA Walla Walla Executive Director

“In the days following the closure of schools, someone came to the YWCA seeking help, reporting that the abuse has escalated, the stress level in her home was off the charts, and she was afraid for her safety. Unfortunately, with abusers spending more time at home, escapes like hers can be more difficult,” Zell Schwerin noted.

Mary Byrd, Director of Client Services, is concerned that she isn’t hearing more calls for help. With kids at home needing help with school, parents out of work except for some able to work from home, and even the most peaceful families feeling the effects of understocked grocery stores and the rapidly rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, she believes that just as many women as ever are needing shelter services during this time, if not more, but they may be unable to call with their partners always at home.

Seattle shelters report a similar reduction in calls to advocates, in spite of the fact that domestic violence reports to police have increased. “After I saw an article about domestic violence in France increasing 30 percent during the coronavirus quarantine and women seeking help at pharmacies,” said Byrd, “I began calling pharmacies to see if anyone was hearing from women in distress. I’m working on getting posters put up in pharmacies to let the community know that the shelter is open even though most businesses are closed.”

Because the virus shutdown has added stress and financial strain, factors known to put survivors in increased danger, advocates are concerned about domestic violence escalating in our community.

“Abuse is about power and control,” said Zell Schwerin.

“With survivors forced to stay in the home or in close contact with their partners, an abuser can use anything, even a pandemic, as a way to exert control over their victim.”

Zell Schwerin also wonders if “the overall fear of COVID and the uncertainties of an unknown place,” are preventing those in crisis from reaching out.

Zell Schwerin assures the community that the YWCA continues to work with the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health and Providence St. Mary Population Health Department on best practices for shelters during the pandemic.

“We screen all staff and residents daily and take temperatures. We have restricted access to shared areas and households may reserve the TV room and roof deck in two-hour blocks,” she said.

An emergency grant the County received from the State that focused on COVID prevention in the sheltered and unsheltered population has also helped.

The shelter has increased their sanitizing and has provided everyone with bleach and instructions for using it. The housekeeper’s hours have doubled and “she is running ragged,” Zell Schwerin reports.

St. Mary Medical Center is providing three meals a day so that there is little to no congregating in the kitchen. Since demand for the YWCA’s childcare programs crashed when nonessential businesses closed, those programs have all closed.

In addition, many staff at the YWCA are working remotely, including communications, fundraising and finance. Byrd and a rotating advocate remain on duty and staff the front desk office phone at (509) 525-2570 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Crisis Line at (509) 529-9922, continues to be answered around the clock by trained advocates.

If you or anyone you know is in crisis, be sure to access the information in the accompanying box.