Spotlight: Haven & Center for Domestic Peace
I’m writing this in the midst of 2020’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that has quickly proliferated throughout the entire world. The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.
It travels on surfaces and even in the air, where it can live for up to 3 hours. We can’t be certain about the amount that we know about the virus, but we do know that it’s extremely dangerous to older folks and folks with immunity or respiratory issues, and that the only way to contain it’s spread is by self-isolation. Cities have been shut down completely with mandatory “shelter in place” laws.
With quarantine being the most efficient way to slow the transmission, and enable treatment for those affected, many families are put at risk of domestic violence. Studies show when people are trapped indoors, tensions can rise, and domestic abuse spikes. ⠀
I live between two communities. Bozeman, Montana, and Marin, California. So, I’m highlighting two organizations that are working overtime to help those in need:
HAVEN
(Bozeman, MT)
is non profit located in Gallatin Valley, Montana, that serves survivors of domestic violence. HAVEN’s services include survivor advocacy, legal advocacy, individual counseling, emergency shelter, a 24-hour support line, three support groups, and community education. These services are all vital to both intervention and prevention of domestic violence. HAVEN officially serves residents of Gallatin County, but extends services to anyone in a situation of domestic violence including people from other counties and out-of-state residents who are fleeing an abusive situation and need HAVEN’s assistance.
On this note, just by going to their website, a pop-up chat is available to discretely speak with an advocate.
The Center for Domestic Peace
(Marin, California) Center for Domestic Peace (C4DP) leads a comprehensive community effort to end the #1 violent crime in Marin County: domestic violence. C4DP operates with three interlocking strategies: 1) Safety and Empowerment, 2) Coordinated Community Response, and 3) Social Transformation. Their core services promotes the safety and empowerment of more than 6,000 individuals impacted by domestic violence through: an emergency shelter, 24/7 hotlines, long-term transitional housing, support groups, legal advocacy and services, and a ManKind and WomanKind program for men and women who seek to end the violence in their relationships. They engage, train, and coordinate professionals from various sectors to promote a coordinated community response to domestic violence within multiple systems – including legal services, law enforcement, criminal justice, health and mental health, and education. And, they take a leadership role in promoting social transformation through technical assistance, education, prevention (including teens and adults), and policy initiatives.