Photo: Unsplash/Gabriel Benois

With more people going into self isolation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society is concerned for women experiencing domestic violence.

"People are being laid off and small businesses are having to close. That just increases stress on people and can raise that pressure and make things dangerous," says executive director Michelle Novakowski.

Due to safety precautions surrounding COVID-19, the Elizabeth Fry Society is not open to walk-ins however, staff are working checking messages via phone and email. Counselling services for clients will continue but group workshops and support groups have been cancelled.

Novakowski says as the pandemic continues there could be more cases of domestic violence. "For the reason of women being shut in at home with abusive partners and not having services to get to," she says. "We haven't had anything of high concern right now but I think as things stretch on, it's going to get tricky."

In addition to this, women's shelters in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton are all operating at full capacity.

"We do know that if we have women that need somewhere to go, at this moment it's pretty hard to find a place," says Novakowski, who remains hopeful that more resources will become available in the coming weeks as the pandemic continues.

"This is not going to last for long, my heart is with all of our clients all all of the women that are out there struggling through this. We are here as safely for our staff and clients as we can be, but we are here."

The Kelowna Women's Shelter 24/7 helpline is 250-763-1040, for women who have experienced a sexual assault issue call the Elizabeth Fry Society at 250-763-4613. If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger call 9-1-1.