In a time when the safest place to be is in your home, the practice of self-isolation can put those in abusive situations at additional risk of harm.
Executive director of Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, Sly Castaldi said while everyone is feeling a heightened sense of anxiousness in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the clients of their shelters are no different.
“What people don’t understand is that home is not a safe place for everybody whether it's a woman in an abusive relationship or kids who are in an abusive home,” said Castaldi.
The Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis will continue to provide their counselling services to women and children through video and phone calls starting Monday, March 23.
The Emergency Shelter and 24-hour Crisis Line remain fully functional and the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis will be modifying its services in its shelters in order to promote self-isolation and social distancing.
The Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis residential shelter will remain in operation while its staff takes safety measures within the house such as increasing sanitation, implementing social distancing measures and pausing in-kind donations. On March 16, the shelters implemented a policy to screen anyone coming into Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.
All team members at Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis who are able to perform their duties remotely will work from home. The team is currently working to provide accessible and flexible services on phone, email and teleconferencing technology.
Only key members of the shelter staff team will be working at the office in order to operate the emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis line.
“We all have to do our part in terms of trying to flatten the curve,” said Castaldi.
Castaldi said because of the sudden outbreak of the situation, their shelter is trying to respond to each situation and it is unknown whether there has been or will be an increase in calls for help and they will have to wait to see how things will pan out.
“This week, things have really shifted,” said Castaldi last Friday.
“These are unprecedented times and I think all of the social services sectors are trying to do its best to support their clients and keep their staff safe. That’s what we’re all doing.”
