The pandemic’s long-lasting fallout for survivors of abuse

Very few of the findings in a new report about COVID-19 and gender-based violence in Canada are a surprise, unfortunately. They describe a tumultuous time where women have faced more serious abuse, and where organizations like Women’s Resources have had to figure out new ways to do almost everything.

The report, from the Ending Violence Association of Canada, notes that 99% of organizations like ours have had to make changes over the past several months. As is the case at Women’s Resources, most are experiencing much higher demands at a time when cancelled fundraisers mean less money.

Among staff and volunteers who work with survivors of gender-based violence, 46% noted a greater prevalence of such violence, and 82% felt the violence had become more severe over the course of the pandemic.

The study reflected the reality here in Kawartha Lakes: many women who would otherwise have tried to get help had no way to leave because they were trapped at home with an abuser who was off work.  For the same reason, it’s been nearly impossible for many of those women to make a call or send email because the man in their life was restricting their access to phones and computers.  One woman in desperation called us and said she had 20 minutes to escape. We did our best to help her.

Just as sobering is the reality that those same workers observed changes in mental health and well-being among one-third of the women they serve. Many of us have struggled with fears and worry over the course of the pandemic — just imagine how much worse it would be if you had no way out of your situation and your every move was being tracked by a controlling abuser.

It’s becoming clearer all the time that the COVD-19 pandemic and the related shutdowns of many aspects of our society have affected some people much more seriously, particularly people who are elderly or poor and people of colour. The Canadian government recognized that women also experienced a disproportionate impact from the pandemic, from economic hardship to abuse; a House of Commons committee was looking into these, but its work has been cut short. When the Liberal government prorogued Parliament in August, that committee was dissolved.

To read more about the National Survey: Pandemic meets Pandemic: Understanding the Impacts of COVID-19 on Gender-Based Violence Services and Survivors in Canada, check out this link.

The pandemic has turned life upside down for everyone, and has made it a nightmare for women experiencing abuse. At Women’s Resources, we continue to do everything we can to help women and their children lead lives free of violence, in these exceptional times as always. We’re here to help, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.  Our crisis line is 705-878-3662 or toll free 1-800-565-5360

By Nancy Payne