How YOU Can Help End Violence Against Women During COVID-19
- Taylor Schuerlein-Bailey
- Apr 23, 2020
- 3 min read
unwomen.org. "Infographic: The Shadow Pandemic - Violence Against Women and Girls and COVID-19." UN Women, 6 April 2020, https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2020/4/infographic-covid19-violence-against-women-and-girls.
During this time it seems like everything has come to a crashing halt. It seems like the world is at a standstill. Maybe you're now unemployed, maybe you're really starting to feel cut off from the outside world, and/or maybe your lifestyle choices are getting worse and worse. But you know what's not at a standstill? Crimes against women and children, a hidden danger of this pandemic. Specifically domestic, child and sexual abuse crimes have not stopped. Domestic and Child Abuse Victims are now on lockdown unable to leave their house, unable to escape their abuser. Sexual Assault Victims are also not going to the hospitals to get checked out of fear of contracting the virus upon entering the hospital.
I am extremely pleased to announce that many hospitals have now set up separate entrances for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Victims to enter to receive testing, resources, and clarification on next steps. Hospital employees have walled off designated wings, in the hopes that no cross-contamination will occur and to make sure everything is handled with discretion. Hotlines are also still running 24/7 so that victims can have access to more and local resources, specific to their needs. National Sexual Assault Helpline: 800-656-HOPE(4673) and National Domestic Violence Helpline: 800-799-SAFE(7233).
While this is progress for the time being, we are also looking to protect the future, when things go back to "normal". After this pandemic comes to a close, it is predicted that thousands of people will go back on dating apps and search for someone to accompany them to restaurants, bars, movie theaters, nightclubs, etc. This pandemic has us yearning for human contact and connection, for love, and for companionship. With an increase in social drinking situations, there is a correlation with date r*pe and sexual assault.
This is why I am working to bring the #AskforAngela poster project to establishments all across the USA. For now, I am focusing locally on Long Island, NY and am looking to branch out as the project takes off. #AskForAngela was a success in the UK a few years ago but never made its way fully to the USA. #AskForAngela posters allow local businesses the opportunity to assist women in bad/uncomfortable dating situations. The goal of these posters is to protect those who find themselves in an undesirable situation.
We have created a few different versions of the poster so that the establishment can pick the one that best fits their "vibe". The idea is to place the poster in the women's bathroom, so that female customers know that the staff are trained and there to help. The poster packet will include: #AskForAngela poster(s), an instruction manual on how staff should react when a customer #AsksforAngela, and an informational meeting lead by an expert (in person or over Skype/Zoom) if needed.
The point of the project is to keep this "call for help" secret, which is why I have not attached the poster at this point in time. If you are an owner of an establishment that can benefit from something like this, or you have someone in mind, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are interested I can email the whole packet or just the poster for your viewing pleasure.
Resources :
“'Ask for Angela' campaign gets global attention” https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37855009, accessed 23rd April 2020
“Coronavirus: I'm in lockdown with my abuser” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52063755, accessed 22nd April 2020
“Domestic violence cases escalating quicker in time of COVID-19” https://missionlocal.org/2020/03/for-victims-of-domestic-violence-sheltering-in-place-can-mean-more-abuse, accessed 22nd April 2020
“Just Ask for Angela: The Bars Using Codewords to Help People Escape Threatening Dates” https://time.com/4668756/ask-for-angela-angel-shots-bars-safety/, accessed 23rd April 2020
Lockdowns around the world bring rise in domestic violence” https://www.theguardian. com/society/2020/mar/28/lockdowns-world-rise-domestic-violence, accessed 22nd April 2020
“During quarantine, calls to 144 for gender violence increased by 25%” http://www.diario21.tv/notix2/movil2/?seccion=desarrollo_nota&id_nota=132124), accessed 22nd April 2020
“Lockdowns around the world bring rise in domestic violence” https://www.theguardian. com/society/2020/mar/28/lockdowns-world-rise-domestic-violence, accessed 22nd April 2020
“Domestic Violence Spikes During Coronavirus As Families Trapped At Home” https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200326zyjkh/domestic-violence-spikes-during-coronavirus-as-families-trapped-at-home-20200327, accessed 22nd April 2020
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