Pandemic lockdowns put domestic violence victims at increased risk

SIGNS OF HOPE; Artwork created by suvivors of domestic violence adorns a wire fence near Spaulding High School. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. (Courtesy photos/SCFJC)

ROCHESTER - The toll the COVID-19 pandemic took on Rochester-area victims of domestic violence may never be known, but what Strafford Family Justice Center Director Amanda Vachon does know is that the lockdowns that were in place were "in direct contrast to what is best for people in violent and unsafe situation inside their own homes."

"The victims are stuck in their homes with the abuser," Vachon said on Tuesday. "They can't go to activities that would get them away from the person abusing them, from the person responsible for their pain and grief." Vachon added when the victim is trapped in a home 24/7 it's hard to make contact with a confidante, let alone an outside agency.

One victim, a longtime survivor of domestic violence who wanted to remain anonymous for this story, said earlier this month that being in an abusive relationship is all about power.

"It feels like no matter how hard I try I just keep sinking. As soon as I think things are finally coming together everything starts to fall apart," she said. "I don't even know what it is I am fighting for anymore. (He) has taken everything away from me including my son. How do you fight someone with unlimited power?"

Vachon said all through the pandemic their Rochester Community Center office remained open but the number of walk-ins dropped by a startling 90 percent, something that only now is beginning to rebound.

Vachon added that not only did the pandemic keep victims from visiting the center, but it restricted their ability to just get out of the house for a while to get some relief from their abuser.

Since the No. 1 goal at the center is to reduce the barriers that any victim may have to get relief, the pandemic has proved a frustrating time for everyone involved.

The center, which usually handles around 25-30 cases at any given time, works in partnership with multiple agencies, including Rochester Police, New Hampshire Legal Assistance; and Haven, a crisis intervention agency.

Haven is located at the Rochester Community Center adjacent to the SCFJC.

Here are some New Hampshire statistics about domestic violence from the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

1 in 4 women in New Hampshire have been sexually assaulted

41 percent of sexual assaults are reported before age 18

83 percent of sexual assault occur before 25

2,250 adult victims of sex assault were served by New Hampshire crisis centers in 2018

9,168 adult victims of domestic violence were served by New Hampshire crisis centers in 2018

816 victims of stalking were served by New Hampshrie crisis centers in 2018

To learn more about SCFJC go to https://scfjc.com/

To learn more about Haven go to https://havennh.org/