Photo: Contributed

With politicians and health officials telling us to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, what if home isn't a safe place to be?

More than one in three women have reported experiencing intimate partner violence, with more than 6,000 women and children in Canada seeking shelter and support services every night.

The Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society has partnered with the Kelowna Women's Shelter to bring awareness to this issue.

The 'Safe Spaces' campaign seeks to bring awareness to the critical domestic violence issues that survivors have experienced and are currently experiencing in the community.

While domestic violence and abuse is prevalent year round, crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown to results in an increase of violent incidents and creation of more barriers for those wanting to access services and support.

"There will most definitely be an increase in the severity and quantity of abusive and violent incidents due to COVID-19. It is almost like a hidden silent worldwide pandemic on top of another worldwide pandemic," says executive director of the Kelowna's Women Shelter Allison McLauchlan.

The executive director of the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society Michelle Novakowski also agrees. "Our staff are worried about women who don’t have access to technology, to reach out for help — where an ex has destroyed a cellphone, or people who can’t afford a phone or a computer," she says.

Both charities remain available for people seeking help during these times. They are also asking the community for donations to support their continued work.

The Kelowna Women's Shelter provides shelter services, essential supplies, counselling services, safety planning and outreach support for women and their children as they flee from domestic abuse. The 24/7 helpline is available at 250-763-1040.

The Elizabeth Fry Society is providing virtual victim assistance, crisis response, safety planning and trauma therapy for adult and youth survivors who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. The team is available at 250-763-4613.

To support the Safe Spaces campaign, share on social media or donate to the campaign directly.

To donate to the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society click here. To donate to the Kelowna Women's Shelter click here.