‘Do What You Have To Do’: Alberta Woman Fled Domestic Abuse During COVID-19 | The Canadian News

COVID-19 has forced many families to isolate themselves, which has been challenging for some and dangerous for those living with an abusive partner.

The pandemic has added another level of complexity to people trying to flee from family violence. Staff working at emergency shelters said victims of domestic abuse have had to face an agonizing decision.

“What is more dangerous right now?” asked Kathy Collins, CEO of AT, a second stage shelter in Edmonton, Alta.

“Safety is the number one value at WINGS and it took on a whole new meaning with the pandemic. Now we had a completely new layer and that kept these people safe from a deadly virus and, at the same time, ensured their safety from outside forces and domestic violence. “

Collins called it the “pandemic paradox.”

WINGS stands for Women in Need Growing Stronger. The nonprofit group operates about 50 suites for women with children who have experienced family violence.

WINGS ‘top priority is safety and connecting women with community support.

The past 19 months have forced staff to rotate and “be nimble,” Collins said, in order to provide that programming to women and their children.

One woman spoke to Global News about her experience, saying that leaving home with her young daughter was “very difficult.”

She said that her relationship with her ex-partner began to take a turn in March 2020, when she was pregnant with their son.

“That’s when things started to go downhill. He became really abusive, verbally and physically.

“It was very scary, especially at the end of my pregnancy, when things started to close down.”

Global News does not identify the woman or where she is. He remains in a shelter, but said he does not consider himself a victim.

“I’m surviving. This is what it feels like to survive and sometimes you have to go through those ugly parts. “

The woman said seeking shelter in a shelter with her little girl gave her time to take “a breather” and plan for her future.

She said that she realized that her abuser had tried to keep her isolated to prevent her from leaving.

“Living in an abusive situation, your abuser tells you: ‘You have no options.

“’No one is going to help you. You made mistakes. You should stay home. This is where you belong, you’re not going to make it. ‘

He had options and wants anyone else in the same situation to know that they can get help too.

“Look. Call numbers. Do what you have to do.”

The Canadian Women’s Foundation tracks gender-based violence and said worldwide that it increased in severity and frequency during the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, spikes in violence are all too common in times of crisis and disaster,” said Andrea Gunraj, vice president of public participation for the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

“As a pre-pandemic example in Canada, we can look at the rise in domestic violence during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016.”

“In the pandemic, crisis lines have seen a 20-30 percent increase in calls related to gender-based violence. Some organizations have seen even greater demand. One of our recipients in Alberta, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, saw calls increase by 50 percent. “

Gunraj also noted an increase in calls for domestic disturbances to the police in 2020.

“All of these are warning signs of an increase in intimate partner violence.”

Abusers have also been using the pandemic as another way to control their partners, telling them that shelters are closed, which is not true.

November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Canada and Gunraj said that every Canadian has a role to play.

Whether it’s donating to a shelter or service that helps families escape violence or learning how to respond to someone in need of support.

A hand gesture, known as Help signalCould save someone Be vigilant during a video call if someone is at home and cannot talk about their current situation.

Collins urged anyone in immediate danger to call 911.

In Edmonton, calling 211 will link you to support options.

If you suspect that someone you know is experiencing family violence, Collins said offer all the support you can.

The tell-tale signs are injuries, but Collins said the health of a victim and her children has often been neglected due to isolation.

“Very often they don’t want to talk about it, so let them know that you are there for them.

“Because it can be so dangerous, there are often survivors who deny that something is happening.”

The mother Global News spoke to said feeling safe has allowed her to focus on her daughter and called it “an incredible feeling.”

“She is fine,” he said. “She is everything I didn’t know I needed.”