Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month V ictims of domestic violence are already impacted by external factors, including isolation from support systems, financial strains and other stresses, that impede their opportunities for leaving abusive relationships. Added to this is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting everyone. The City of Everett and Everett Police Department offer help to individuals and families struggling through domestic violence. Having partnered with Portal To Hope in 1998 to create the award-winning EVAPorate Violence program onsite at the Everett Police Department, the Everett Police are able to be aware of escalated abuse cases. “When the Everett Police are called to a scene with domestic violence implications, they are able to provide information to victims of domestic violence and lead them back to EVAPorate Violence,” said Police Chief Steven Mazzie. EVAPorate Violence provides support to victims by conducting follow-up on Abuse Prevention Orders and crimes involving domestic violence and sexual assault and stalking crimes related to intimate partner violence. “Through the program and onsite services, victim advocates are able to keep better connected with the police for outreach purposes; and resource information, including updates to the laws governing domestic violence, are shared. This helps law enforcement to ensure a better response,” said Mazzie. Having had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the crisis intervention needs of people impacted by domestic violence, especially during the call for sheltering-in-place to stop the spread of COVID-19, EVAPorate Violence has had to develop new safety policies and get creative around helping victims to access services. “We have been leaving information at food banks and medical facilities and using social media to facilitate outreach to people,” said EVAPorate Violence Director Deborah Fallon. “Of course, as we all struggle through the pandemic, we face challenges to accessing systems for justice and support that we are navigating through; we are grateful to have the partnerships that we have shared for years with the courts, government, hospitals, housing agencies, local businesses, schools, and civic and religious organizations, because they help us to ensure that services are available to victims and their families.” In the beginning of the pandemic, EVAPorate Violence experienced an 18% uptick in referrals for help. While the numbers have lessened, EVAPorate Violence still has a 9% increase in those calls. Proud of the partnership that the Everett Police Department has shared with local nonprofit organization Portal To Hope, which helped to create the program 22 years ago, Fallon said, “We are grateful for the leadership that remains innovative at the Everett Police Department and in Everett city government. By working in partnership to hold offenders accountable for their domestic violence crimes and supporting victims during the added pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are able to learn from each other and constantly adapt to the needs of the community.” EVAPorate Violence plans to celebrate its 23 years of partnership with the Everett Police Department and City of Everett at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The one-hour event will be online and will also highlight its new program for youngsters via the Foundation Trust and Everett Citizens Foundation. For more information, please call (617) 394-2431. If you or someone you know needs help against abuse, please call 911 for emergencies, and call (617) 394-2431 to reach EVAPorate Violence for additional support at the Everett Police Department. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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