To give readers a deeper look at how our work has changed during the pandemic, we spoke with Vice President of Program Operations Nicole Drake. Here’s what she had to share:
1. We know congregate living presents unique challenges during the quarantine, but that Women Against Abuse's safe havens offer critically needed refuge. How has the organization adapted services to protect residents and staff members?
Thankfully, our facilities are set-up in a way that is conducive to social distancing – residents have private and semi-private rooms as opposed to dormitory style housing. That has helped quite a lot. We have also limited on-site staff to those providing essential services, such as client support staff, security, housekeeping, and dining services. Case managers, therapists, attorneys and administrative staff are providing in-take and supportive services by phone. Our facilities team has adopted a comprehensive cleaning schedule to ensure that "high touch" areas and surfaces are disinfected regularly. We have replaced meal service in our dining room with Grab-and-Go style meals, so that residents can eat in their own rooms. And, we are taking temperatures of residents and staff each day, and are requiring facemasks to be worn in any public space.
2. Has the demand for shelter beds waned because of the pandemic?
Fewer hotline callers than normal are asking for shelter, opting for legal protections over congregate living during the quarantine. Also, more callers are asking for guidance on how to tell family or friends about the abuse in hopes that those loved ones will offer them safety, as opposed to having to come to a congregate shelter setting during COVID-19. Despite this, our safe havens are still operating at close to full occupancy, since the demand for domestic violence shelter is consistently high in light of the limited 200 beds that Philadelphia provides.
3. What about legal services? Are those continuing?
Yes, in fact we are receiving more hotline calls than usual asking for Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order guidance & assistance. Our Legal Center advocates and attorneys are still working tirelessly on behalf of survivors of domestic violence. They can assist with getting temporary and emergency PFAs. Although the physical courthouse is closed, our attorneys have been successfully representing clients by video conference.
And, our Legal Center team has been working with law enforcement and the courts to ensure that there are still access points available for the public to be able to file for these crucial protections in a timely way. We were even able to successfully advocate with the Sheriff’s Office to have them deliver petitions to defendants, so that our clients do not have to travel and be exposed to possible danger.
