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This story is part of a WKMS News series highlighting organizations and groups helping others amid the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected lives all over the world in many different ways, but one of the most pressing and troubling outcomes is the rising reports of child abuse, domestic abuse and sexual abuse. Kentucky’s abuse crisis centers not only adapted their services to comply with recommended health and safety guidelines, but also adjusted their approach to reach victims during a time when leaving an abusive situation could be harder than ever.
United Nations Women, an organization of the UN, calls it “the Shadow Pandemic.” According to their website, one in three women experienced violence before COVID-19 changed the world, but the virus brings in stressors that experts believe make abuse worse and more frequent. The UN said cramped living conditions, worries over finances, deserted public spaces, and isolation with the abuser are just some of th
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United Nations Women, an organization of the UN, calls it “the Shadow Pandemic.” According to their website, one in three women experienced violence before COVID-19 changed the world, but the virus brings in stressors that experts believe make abuse worse and more frequent. The UN said cramped living conditions, worries over finances, deserted public spaces, and isolation with the abuser are just some of the ways the pandemic could exacerbate abuse.
In Kentucky, abuse crisis centers serve entire regions of the state. They usually offer a hybrid of resources for multiple types of abuse: domestic, sexual and child abuse. They also work together in a network of “sister organizations.”
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to educate and bring attention to the issue and how to prevent it.
Sanctuary, Inc. Executive Director Heather Lancaster tells the News Edge they are a local resource to help victims who have experienced sexual assault or domestic abuse.
She adds April is a big month for them.
Sanctuary, Inc Spreading Awareness During Sexual Assault Month wkdzradio.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wkdzradio.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.