Heartland Alliance began responding to the urgent and unique needs of survivors of domestic violence more years. In that time, we have witnessed firsthand how domestic violence increases whenever families spend more time together, such as during the holiday season. Earlier this year, with COVID-19 spreading across the world and in the United States, our Violence Recovery Services (VRS) team foresaw increased need as state and local governments enacted stay-at-home orders. For VRS, there was every reason to believe that the restrictions, meant to keep us safe, would be met with an effect similar to the holidays– an increase in domestic violence. Today, the VRS case load confirms that fear.
“Mental health awareness and domestic violence awareness are both so important right now because new barriers have surged for our participants as result of the pandemic. Said Maria Cedeno, a clinical case manager with VRS. “Their environment has changed; most of our participants have been quarantined with their children and abusive partner, with no breaks from constant triggers and abuse that make mental health so hard to deal with.”
The pandemic has also crippled support networks and worsened economic hardships, making it more difficult for victims to get help or find safety. With winter, the holidays, and a potential second wave of the virus looming, Heartland Alliance is mobilizing early to ensure Chicago’s most vulnerable individuals and families receive the resources they need to find safety, heal, and thrive.
“Our work is important because the populations we serve would not be able to afford counseling services, if it wasn’t for Heartland Alliance. Our services are free of charge and we are proud to be part of the healing process,” said Maria.
With help from Maria and the VRS team, Heartland Alliance contacted women who were once stuck at home with an abusive partner and conducted interviews over the phone. One of them, Yessica — who asked that her full name be withheld — shared a house with her husband, and said he had been regularly abusing her.
“Era difícil estar ahí. Una cerveza siempre se convertia en ocho cervezas.”
In a low and modest voice, Yessica, 39, explains in Spanish that it was difficult to live with her husband – “One beer always turned into eight beers.”
Physical violence is not present in every abusive relationship. Common patterns of abuse include isolation from friends and family, restrictions on employment, constant surveillance, financial control, and detailed rules for behavior and clothing. Before the pandemic, Yessica’s husband convinced her to leave her job and get rid of their second car.
“Decia, ‘nos tenemos que ganar la loteria primero,’ en respuesta a todo.”
Yessica says that every time she tried to budget or encourage her husband to save money for their future, he would say “we need to win the lottery first,” and return to his beer. There was always money for beer, though, Yessica later noted.
“Siempre habia dinero para cerveza.”
Yessica’s husband wasn’t the same man she married. This man was aggressive and mean, and Yessica was afraid of him. When asked about physical abuse, Yessica says,
“Sabes que? Aveces las palabras hierren mas que los golpes.”
“You know what? Sometimes words hurt more than a beating.”
Though critical to reducing the spread of the virus, staying home in close quarters emboldens abusers. But, finding a new home is difficult, forcing many victims to live with their abuser. At Heartland Alliance, we employ an intersectional survivor-centered approach that prioritizes the individual experiences, rights, needs, and wishes of survivors. These principles guide our VRS team as they engage with participants who have experienced domestic, sexual, or other forms of violence, like Yessica.
“Now that we’re separated, my husband sends me messages that he’s going to throw out what I left behind. And, it hurts! I worked hard for that stuff – so much sweat.”
Through VRS’s case management services, Maria connected Yessica to a shelter and eventually to housing and legal services.
“With VRS’s counseling, I realized my husband cleaned me out – figuratively and literally. He didn’t value me. He made me feel like nothing with his words and actions.”
Today, Yessica is safe living in a temporary apartment awaiting permanent housing. She recently found a job and saved up enough to buy a car again. Though she remains nostalgic about the life she thought she was building, she is hopeful about the future and is no longer afraid every night.
“Estoy lista para salir adelante.”
While the world’s attention is on preventing and treating the physical symptoms brought on by COVID-19, we cannot ignore the psychological and emotional effects. Heartland Alliance’s VRS program serves survivors of domestic violence – an act that is often shrouded around stigma and silence. Many who experience it are often left to cope on their own – attempting to manage the trauma behind closed doors. At VRS, however, we ensure survivors and their families have a chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive.
