March 25, 2020
March 25th 2020 - In New Brunswick, there are 13 transition houses and 7 second stage facilities who serve women (and their children) struggling with abuse and violence in their lives. Representatives from the two coalitions – The Réseau des services pour victimes de violence du Nouveau-Brunswick (RSVVNB) and the NB South Central Transition House and Second Stage Coalition (NBSCTHSSC) are speaking out this week about how their facilities are coping and adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic.At this time, all transition houses, second stage facilities and crisis centres are in the process of modifying their programs and services to adapt to the pandemic.
En ce moment toutes les maisons d’hébergement et logement 2e étape du Nouveau-Brunswick sont en train de modifier leur programmes et services afin de s’adapter à la pandémie.
NBSCTHSSC president, Patty Michaud remarks that “We need to ensure we can follow provincial guidelines while responding to women in crisis. We don’t want to limit our services but we need to provide environments that are safe for both residents and staff. Like everyone else, we are finding it impossible to find the supplies we need to comply with provincial guidelines. Our biggest concerns are for the staff who have health issues or who are caring for loved ones at home and could be risking their health by coming to work. They having been working extremely hard to ensure that the shelters are well organized, are practicing preventive measures, all while continuing to welcome women and their children in crisis and respond to an increase in crisis calls.”
Services have been faced with cancelling groups and community events, and are encouraging people to take advantage of their 24 hours crisis lines where they can provide counselling, referrals, and safety planning. Some shelters are also providing support through emails, telephone and video conferencing when appropriate.
RSVVNB’s president, Angèle Losier, explains that “Despite the efforts put in place, the executive directors across the province are particularly worried about the long-term needs that the pandemic will generate. For example, their usual budget (already limited) is not adequate for the type of measures we need to practice, especially over an extended period of time. In addition, we have had to cancel all fundraising events so we are concerned about a shortfall in our finances.”
The RSVVNB and the NBSCTHSSC would like to point out that periods of crisis tend to escalate incidents of intimate partner violence. While practicing social distancing, a victim, her partner (as well as children) are all within close quarters and it will be even more difficult for a victim to safely reach out for help.
Stressful quarantine situations are not an excuse for abuse and violence. People seeking help can contact their local shelter or visit the sheltersafe.ca website to find their closest facility and find out how they can provide support. For information and contacts for provincial Outreach services, visit the Women’s Equality page on the gnb.ca website.
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For more information
Catherine Roy Comeau, Coordinator (506) 543-5900
Réseau des services pour victimes de violence du Nouveau-Brunswick
Debrah Westerburg, Coordinator (506) 328-9605
NB South Central Transition House and Second Stage Coalition
