The Domestic Violence Service Center has seen a drop in calls since the pandemic began, but that doesn’t mean domestic violence is not happening.

“The violence that is happening out there … has gotten worse,” said Tammy Rodgers, volunteer/educator coordinator at the Domestic Violence Service Center. “They are a lot more violent.”

In fact, Carbon County has had two domestic violence related homicides so far this year.

That’s why, on Thursday, the Carbon County Commissioners adopted a proclamation naming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the county.

Rodgers said that the pandemic has provided many challenges for the service center.

“We have been forced to make a lot of adjustments with the services that we provide to make sure the victims are able to get ahold of us and we’re able to provide them shelter and everything they need,” she said.

On average, Domestic Violence Service Center, which is located in Wilkes-Barre with a satellite office in Carbon, receives 450 hotline calls a month and provides services to over 400 adults a month.

Community initiatives

During the month of October, the center usually hosts various displays and events for people to view, but COVID-19 has forced them to also think out of the box.

Amanda Kroening, the Carbon County Domestic Violence Advocate, said that there are two initiatives that they hope residents will participate in.

To raise awareness for this very real problem and show support of the victims, the Domestic Violence Service Center is asking everyone in Carbon County to place a purple light in their window for the month of October and also participate in Chalk Walk Wednesdays, which is to write inspirational messages on your sidewalks each Wednesday that support victims of domestic violence.

Photos of the messages and artwork can then be sent to the service center through Facebook.

The Domestic Violence Service Center services include providing legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence, including court accompaniment to PFA hearings, community support groups, one-on-one counseling and more. All services are free and confidential.

Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence and physical, mental and emotional abuse can call the center’s 24-hour hotline at 800-424-5600 to speak with a counselor advocate.

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