The Importance of Essential Service Employees during COVID-19
Domestic violence is a serious public health concern in the United States. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, essential service employees may be one of the few points-of-contact to reach victims. Domestic violence may include partner, sibling, child, and elder abuse and not all cases present with common signs, and essential service employees can play an important role in supporting victims.
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+ Law Enforcement
Guidance for law enforcement during COVID-19 (Indiana Coalition against Domestic Violence)
Guidance for responding officers during COVID-19 (PoliceOne)
News: Dedicated Domestic Violence Response Unit for COVID-19 (Hartford, CT)
International Association of Chiefs of Police Covid-19 resources related to law enforcement response
- Includes CRITAC Covid-19 Library of Resources (you must register for a free account to access this)
- Contains the link to virtual roundtable on COVID-19 and law enforcement response to domestic and sexual violence
International Association of Chiefs of Police Covid-19 resources related to law enforcement response
End Violence Against Women International Using Virtual Meeting Software for Law Enforcement Interview of Victims
- Civil Protection Orders and Remote Hearings: A Panel Discussion
- Go to "Webinars" section
- General (not COVID-specific)
- Free online training course: Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Assault Instructions
- Outside the US
+ Grocery Store Workers
+ Pharmacy Workers
A collection of resources that have been implemented in other countries during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Boots provides safe spaces for people suffering from domestic abuse
- Detailed analysis by Pharmaceutical journal
- Detailed analysis by the Guardian
Information for pharmacies on how to become safe spaces (British focused -- from UK Says No More)
‘Mask 19’ codeword
General Advice
- Buying emergency contraceptives is a sign of domestic abuse (Research paper)
+ Professionals Who Work With Children
Prevent Child Abuse Delaware flyer for schools
End violence recommendations for responding to child abuse
MA children’s alliance’s five warning signs for teachers that a child needs help
Family Violence during COVID-19, Potential Check-In Questions for Teachers (University of British Columbia)
Global Child Protection Resources during COVID-19 (CP AoR, En Français, En Español, باللغة العربية)
Sample Child Protection Policy for COVID-19 School Closures (UK, International Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
Guide to Identifying Risks and Safeguarding Children (Farrer.co.uk)
- How to Spot and Address Signs of Abuse in Children (UK, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
- Letter builder tool: Prompt to facilitate children sharing what they are experiencing and feeling
This news article about the rise in child abuse during COVID-19 also contains tangible advice for teachers
- UNICEF's guidelines to preventing child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic
+ Coworkers and Managers
- Domestic Violence Alliance Worknet (Canada-based) briefings about how co-workers and businesses can identify and respond to domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
This British police briefing in response to COVID-19 contains a section on how co-workers can help
- General good practices during COVID-19 pandemic
- Employer mental health free toolkit from Headspace to help during Covid-19
- Family-friendly policies and other good workplace practices during COVID-19
- Non-COVID specific
- Domestic violence toolkit to help business leaders and managers recognize and respond to domestic abuse (Public Health England)
- Sample workplace policy relating to domestic abuse (UNISON)
- Warning signs for the workplace (Canada)
- British DV employers guide
- Vodafone
- Vodafone initiatives to support victims of domestic violence during COVID-19
+ Other Ways to Help Survivors
Stay Informed
- Stay informed about COVID-19 and domestic violence.
- Attend our Seminar Series at 3pm ET/ 12pm PT
- Work on building healthy relationships in your own life.
Contribute Directly
- Contribute your experience to our citizen survey
- Donate directly to one our on-the-ground initiatives.
- Share our content and campaigns on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Get More Involved
- Talk to young people about teen dating violence.
- Ensure policy makers consider the issues facing survivors of domestic violence during COVID-19. Sign our petition to congress.
- Help us research and consolidate domestic violence resources and organizational information relevant to your area.