Resources for safety and support during COVID-19
Those who are surviving violence in their relationships and families may be experiencing increased isolation and danger caused by social distancing measures during the Coronavirus public health emergency. Survivors often have specific needs around safety, health, and confidentiality. We have compiled resources and tools for survivors, communities, and care providers, who are working tirelessly to respond in ways that are safe and supportive for all.
Survivors, you are not alone:
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free:1-800-799-7233, and through chat or text “START” to 88788..
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free:800.656.HOPE (4673), and through chat or via mobile App for survivors and loved ones.
- LoveisRespect.org for 24/7 teen dating violence support: chat, text “LOVEIS” to 22522, call 1.866.331.9474
- The StrongHearts Native Helpline for domestic/sexual violence is available 7am-10pm CT, confidential, and specifically for Native communities:1−844-762-8483 or chat
- The Trans LifeLine for peer support for trans folks 9am-3am CT:1-877-565-8860 or la línea directa en español a 1-877-565-8860. This hotline is staffed exclusively by trans operators is the only crisis line with a policy against non-consensual active rescue.
- The Deaf Hotline is available 24/7 through video phone (1-855-812-1001), email and chat for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled survivors.
- National Parent Helpline Monday -Friday 12pm-9am CT emotional support and advocacy for parents:1-855-427-2736
Safety and Care: Are you sheltering in place with someone who is hurting you? Here are some ideas about how to increase your safety and take care of yourself while you are at home:
- Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or coworker who could check in with you about your safety and support needs. If you need help identifying support people in your life, take a look at the pod mapping worksheet from the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective.
- Staying Safe During COVID-19 from the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- Mantenerse segurx durante COVID-19 – La Línea Nacional Contra la Violencia Doméstica
- myPlan App – a tool to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, is experiencing abuse in their relationship
- Mutual Aid & Restorative Justice Online Check-in Circles
- Self Care During Covid-19 Activity Book from the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
- How Does a Person Become Resilient? from WeRNative
Harm Reduction and Health
- Guide to Wellbeing During Coronavirus from the Greater Good Science Center
- Resources for women living with HIV experiencing IPV from the Positive Women’s Network
- Safer Drug Use During The Covid19 OutbreakHarm Reduction Amidst The COVID-19 Pandemic by the National Harm Reduction Coalition
- COVID-19 Sex Worker Harm Reduction Resources from COYOTE RI
- 13 Online Meetings + Recovery Groups15 Online Recovery Meetings + Groups and more from the Temper
- COVID-19 guidance for people experiencing homelessness without shelter from Multnomah County
- What do older adults and people with disabilities need to know? from the Administration for Community Living
- #NoBodyIsDisposable Know Your Rights for elders, fat people, people with disabilities and others who may be targeted with denial of care during COVID-19
- Resources for Undocumented People/ Recursos Para Personas Indocumentadas Coronavirus
- Resources for People Concerned About Their Own Sexual Thoughts and Behavior During the COVID-19 Outbreak from Johns Hopkins Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Community Care:
Social distancing does not have to lead to social isolation. We can take care of each other in this crisis and reach out to loved ones, friends, neighbors and colleagues to see if they have the care and support they need, and if they feel safe at home.
Supporting Survivors in Your Community:
- English – Ways to help children and adults living with violence
Spanish – Formas de ayudar a niños y adultos que viven con violencia - Friends + Family Guide: How to help someone who is in an abusive relationship from the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- NW Network guide for reducing isolation/ supporting LGBTQ survivors for family/friends/advocates
Supporting Children
- Tips for Caregivers and Families to Cope With the “New Normal” from PBS Kids
- Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home: Being Child-Centered During the Pandemic from Indigenous Motherhood
- Self-Care Tool for Families from ACES Aware
- Minimizing Opportunity During Coronavirus Quarantine from Darkness to Light
- Resources for Parents and Children to Prevent Abuse During the COVID-19 Outbreak from Johns Hopkins Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
- Protect Your Space and Well-Being on Instagram from The Trevor Project
- 9 Tips to Help Your Child Wear a Mask from PBS Kids
- How LGBTQ Youth Can Cope with Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19 from The Trevor Project
- How to Talk to Your Child About Vaccines from PBS Kids
- Helping Children with Traumatic Separation or Traumatic Grief Related to COVID-19 from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Supporting Children During Coronavirus (COVID-19) from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Mutual Aid and Social Justice During COVID-19
- Social Justice Resources for COVID-19 Response from Irresistible Podcast
- COVID-19 Doesn’t Discriminate, But Our Healthcare, Economic, and Legal Systems Do from DecrimNY
- Mutual Aid and Disaster Relief Resources
Survivor and Family Support Services:
Anti-Violence Organizations and Shelters:
- Resources for DV Programs on the Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the National network to End Domestic Violence
- Supporting Survivors’ Access to Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Emergency
- Resources for Health Based Violence Intervention Services from the HAVI
Services for Unhoused People
- Coronavirus and Homelessness from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Health Preparedness for Homeless Assistance Providers from the HUD Exchange for Homeless Assistance Providers
- Guidance on Management of COVID-19 in Homeless Service Sites and in Correcctional and Detention Facilities from the CDC
Schools and Educators
- Supporting Learning and Well-Being During the Coronavirus Crisis from the Greater Good Science Center
- COVID-19 and Homelessness: Strategies for Schools, Early Learning Programs, and Higher Education Institutions from Schoolhouse Connection
- Psychological First Aid for schools and educators
- Head Start Coronavirus guidance for programs
- Creating Safer Spaces in Schools for LGBTQ Youth from The Trevor Project
- Trauma-Informed School Strategies During COVID-19 from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Indian Country and American Indian/Alaska Native Communities
- COVID-19 Resources for Indian Country from the Tribal Law and Policy Institute
- Resources in Response to the Coronavirus from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
- COVID-19 Materials Developed for Tribal Use from The Center for American Indian Health
More information on supporting survivors during this public health emergency for:
- Long COVID: A Community Conversation on Disability, Equity, and Its Impact on Advocates and Survivors in Native Communities from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
- Using Culture to Cope with COVID from WeRNative
Workplaces and Employers
- Survivors In The Workplace
- Supporting Workers Experiencing Violence
- Healthcare Workers and Health Systems
- COVID-19 Mitigation: Workplace Community Care Toolkit from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
We are updating these resources continuously. If you have information to share, please contact the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence at health@futureswithoutviolence.org, with the subject line “COVID19 Resource.”
Additional Resources:
- Vaccines for COVID-19 from the CDC
- Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines from the CDC
- Get Medicine for COVID-19 from the CDC
- COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know from the CDC