Not Forgotten: Serving Victims of Crime During Public Health Crises

In global pandemics, much of the world shuts down. However, crime doesn’t stop - and neither does victim services.

One of the biggest concerns during a public health crisis, especially for victims of child abuse and domestic violence, is safety. When jobs, schools and organizations close down, that leaves individuals in abusive situations vulnerable. When required quarantines and forced curfews are applied, not every resource can operate in full capacity. For example, domestic violence shelters might not be able to transport victims from their homes to the shelter during curfew hours. Counseling offices might not be open for patients to sit in the waiting room. And, like in Virginia, courts might be closed, stalling closure for victims at sentencings. And, while this might seem concerning at first, there are still plenty of ways we can serve victims during a public health crisis.

Using Safety Plans Effectively

Safety Plans in domestic violence focus on steps survivors will take in various situations, including living with their abuser, preparing to leave their abuser and after leaving. Some survivors have separate safety plans based on whether they have children, pets or other situations. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a variety of resources and steps for survivors to take in traditional, normal safety planning. But, in public health crises, those normal steps don’t always apply.

A good, well crafted, detailed safety plan is adaptable. A reliable safety plan is also full of reliable, supportive individuals. Advocates working with survivors during public health crises will ensure that a good safety plan is in place. This includes identifying safe rooms within the home, the creation of a safety word to alert family/friends of an emergency, ensuring numbers of local resources are readily available and known, and that survivors have a plan in place for their pets.

If working with victims who are planning to leave their abuser during a pandemic, advocates should remind survivors to make copies of important papers: birth certificates, social security cards, immunizations, etc. Advocates should ensure the survivor tells them their plan, so that the local DV shelter knows to check in that the survivor is able to follow through with the plan. There should also be other follow-up measures in place to ensure the survivor doesn't incur any violence while leaving.

One of the best things an advocate can do during safety planning is remind the survivor that none of the violence is ever their fault. The only person responsible for violence in a relationship is the abuser.

Online Tools

Many resources are available online for victims, advocates and other legal professionals to use during public health situations. These resources will only strengthen as organizations and professionals figure out ways to bring more information online to avoid human interaction that might spread diseases or viruses during a pandemic or other public health situation.

• Court Case Information: Depending on your state, court case information might be available to the public. Visit your states’ court websites to find that information and steps for viewing court information. While you might not be able to see the documents in the files, many states allow the public to see defendant names, court dates and case results. Victims can keep track of when and what courts their offenders will appear in.

• VINElink: One of the best tools for victims, especially during a public health crisis, is to use their state’s VINE system. A tracking system for offenders in the local jail circuit (so no offenders serving felony/federal time), victims can see what facility their offender is housed in. However, if offenders are transferred to a medical facility, the system might have a note that appears to mean they’ve been released - that isn’t always the case.

• Hotlines: Many hotline organizations have a variety of virtual options, including online chat features. Victims of domestic violence can use the National Domestic Violence Hotline, victims of sexual assault can contact their local rape crisis center or RAINN’s hotline. Survivors of homicide can utilize the Justice for Homicide Victims hotline, created to provide emotional support, especially since many support groups get cancelled during public health situations. Hotlines are great alternatives to promote social distancing, one of the many recommendations given during public health situations.

Serving victims of crime effectively during pandemics and other public health situations lies in adaptability. Utilizing phone and internet services, such as video chatting in place of in-person support groups or counseling during quarantines and mandated curfews, are some of the best ways victim service providers can still provide quality services to victims. Establishing online forms for victims to request information on services and secure portals to send and retrieve information can assist in doing Victim’s Fund applications or other types of referrals.

Providing services to victims never stops, even in times of global crisis. As advocates, we stand to serve victims and ensure they receive quality care - regardless of global circumstances.