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Operators of domestic abuse hotlines across the state say more women are calling them in crisis, as pandemic stress has led to more violence at home.
Eric Stiles, a program director with the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, says they’ve documented an increase in survivors of abuse who have called their statewide hotline in 2021, compared to last year.
Stiles says operators also spent more time on the phone with women. He says many of the callers are in more vulnerable situations because they lost their job or car during the pandemic.
“That puts more of a strain on how does a person make the decision to either leave a domestic violence situation or to seek out resources for their victimization of sexual violence,” he says.
MORGUEFILE
Operators of domestic abuse hotlines across the state say more women are calling them in crisis, as pandemic stress has led to more violence at home.
Eric Stiles, a program director with the non-profit Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, says they’ve documented an increase in survivors of abuse who have called their state-wide hotline in 2021, compared to last year.
Stiles says operators also spent more time on the phone with women. He says many of the callers are in more vulnerable situations because they lost their job or car during the pandemic.
“That puts more of a strain on how does a person make the decision to either leave a domestic violence situation or to seek out resources for their victimization of sexual violence,” he says.