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Date: 6/10/2020
WESTERN MASS. – The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is seeking $190,000 from the emergency Community Development Block Grant Covid program to address domestic violence issues that have been aggravated by the shutdown.
COVID-19 has made domestic violence more dangerous as victims are asked to stay at home with abusive partners, according to Erica Johnson, PVPC principal planner. Johnson wrote in the application that many victims are reluctant to leave home for fear of getting sick from traveling or staying in a shelter. Victims are also reluctant to call police or get a restraining order for fear that their partner will get sick, return home and infect the family
“At present we have over 20 municipalities that have signed on from the Hilltowns to western Worcester County,” Johnson said. “Additionally, there will be an application to support local social agencies in Huntington and Chester,” she added.
Program components will include a free, confidential helpline that will provide support to anyone at risk of being violent within the grant region, and will focus on de escalation and risk reduction, and on connecting people to local support services. The helpline will also provide support and referral to friends and family members seeking help in preventing, mitigating and stopping violence against their loved ones.
Support services will be offered to perpetrators who attend, or agree to attend, or have graduated from Partner Abuse Education Programs (IPAEP). These groups provide weekly education and support for 40 weeks, primarily for court-ordered perpetrators. This project will add support in addition to the weekly support.
The third component of the grant is victim support services offered to victims of perpetrators attending IPAEP groups. An advocate will contact victims by phone to offer advocacy services, and to work in partnership with IPAEP staff.
Johnson said they are also working on an application to support local service agencies in Huntington/Chester who have been providing support to the community during the shutdown.
In another initiative, the HIlltown Community Development Corporation is applying for regional grants for small business assistance and a food program for low to moderate income residents.
“We’re in the process of working on a number of applications in the region. We’re excited to partner with the CDC on this,” Johnson said, adding, “Many communities are taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in multiple applications. Many moving parts.”
For more information about the domestic violence initiative, contact the PVPC at 781-6045.