WNYC
March 26, 2020
Advocates for victims of abuse want individuals to continue to seek help through support hotlines and lawyers while they shelter at home.
Maureen Curtis leads criminal justice programs for Safe Horizon. Curtis says even in the best of relationships — more time in one place with a partner can increase tensions. But if they add an abusive person to that scenario:
“There’s no doubt that the possibility of there being a threat of violence — whether it be physical or sexual or psychological or emotional — is very real.”
Curtis says people who need help can call the city’s domestic violence hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE. Safe Horizon also runs a live chat system, called SafeChat, if someone doesn’t feel safe making a call.