(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

NEOSS Shelter Update

Isolation, other factors could lead to increased use of domestic violence shelter: NEOSS

Apr 3, 2020 | 10:00 AM

The domestic violence shelter in Melfort hasn’t been busy since the COVID-19 crisis began, but officials are keeping an eye on the situation.

North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) executive director Louise Schweitzer told northeastNOW shelters province-wide have been fairly quiet.

“It was, I think, the calm before the storm,” Schweitzer said. “Statistically, they say 11 days into an isolation period is when people’s emotions become very affected by it, so we’re getting to there.”

Schweitzer said the provincial government has announced there will be another 14 days under their emergency plan, which means another two weeks of isolation.

“Isolation is one of the main factors of how people begin with the domestic violence situation or the interpersonal violence, is to isolate you for others,” Schweitzer said.

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Being in close quarters for a long period of time escalates the potential for domestic violence said Schweitzer, and it’s also dangerous when you factor in drugs and alcohol.

“There [are] also the challenges of the many, many job losses and the stress that is impacting on our families and our communities,” Schweitzer said.

She said all of the stressors lead to increase of the dynamics in a domestic violence situation.

She asked people in the community to reach out and help someone in need if safe to do so, and if it’s not safe, to call 9-1-1.

NEOSS counsellors are working full-time over the phone at this time, and the crisis line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-661-6349.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974