Dear Supporter,

The world is in a very different place this month than we were just a few short weeks ago. As you and your loved ones are quickly adjusting to the changes in your community, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to take action to help ensure survivors’ needs were reflected in the coronavirus aid packages passed by Congress. We also appreciate that you have  been reading and sharing our COVID-19 resources. As changes undoubtedly continue to come, just know that we’ll be here to create resources, share information, and support the survivors and advocates in the field. Our latest, up-to-the-minute information can be at NNEDV.org/coronavirus.

Celebrating the Passage of the CARES Act While
Acknowledging that Additional Relief is Still Needed for Survivors

Thank you for taking action to support the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Your action pushed Members of Congress to pass this urgently needed relief package. Thank your Member of Congress today and urge them to provide additional emergency funding to domestic violence and sexual assault programs and ensure that all immigrant survivors, regardless of status, are protected.

Click here to thank your Members of Congress.

The CARES Act provides $45 million in desperately needed funding for domestic violence programs via the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). Programs can use it to quickly house survivors and provide additional support. However, this is not all we were advocating for and there are still gaps that leave some survivors in danger. Read our full statement and learn more about the additional needs we are advocating for on behalf of survivors and programs.  

Learn More about the CARES Act.

Centering Survivors in Times of Crisis

14th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report Congressional Briefing, taken March 10, 2020

Serving and supporting survivors during this pandemic has taken on a new and more urgent dimension. NNEDV is working alongside our national partners and state and territorial coalitions to ensure that local domestic violence programs have the support they need to keep doors open and survivors safe.

While COVID-19 may present novel and significant concerns, the resilience of survivors and the work of domestic violence advocates, service providers, and local shelters, in the face of overwhelming challenges, is not new.

Read my full statement on NNEDV’s rapid response efforts to support survivors and advocates.

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic:
Technology Tools for Services and Remote Workplaces

With many people self-isolating at home – either by choice or by mandate – there has been a marked increase in the use of technology to communicate with loved ones; participate in distance learning; and work remotely. For advocates working with survivors, technology tools may help support shifting to a remote workplace, mobile advocacy, and communicating with survivors. We developed several resources to help ensure that survivors and advocates have the information they need to get help and do their jobs to the best of their ability.  

We also hosted two webinars to help advocates and programs. The recordings are available below if you have questions:

• Using Technology to Communicate with Survivors. This webinar included considerations for advocates on what services can be done remotely with web chat or video calls. 
• Privacy Matters: Working Remotely. This webinar included information on working from home, including tools to allow staff and volunteers to communicate with each other (e.g. calls, instant messaging, video), and tools for sharing information while maintaining confidentiality (e.g. secure file sharing).

Learn more about responding to COVID-19 in the workplace.

View and download COVID-19 resources here.

Frequently Asked Questions
Involving Courts and COVID-19

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States, state and local courthouses have closed or postponed hearings to slow the spread of the virus. Uncertainty about whether a courthouse is open or if a hearing is still scheduled can be frustrating and frightening. We developed these FAQs to help survivors navigate this rapidly changing time. If you still have questions after reading the FAQs, please reach out to us through our WomensLaw Email Hotline in English and Spanish.

Learn more about how COVID-19 is impacting the courts in English and Spanish.

A Global Perspective on
Survivor Safety During COVID-19

Group photo of the Global Network of Women's Shelters Board of Directors, taken March 8, 2020

NNEDV is a proud member of the Global Network of Women's Shelters (GNWS), an international network of organizations that was created to strengthen and unite our work to end violence against women and girls globally. In response to COVID-19, GNWS and its member organizations are hosting free weekly webinars for domestic and sexual violence organizations to share strategies and challenges in helping survivors during the pandemic. On March 25, the Asian Network of Women’s Shelters hosted a webinar on shelter planning and preparation during COVID-19. Watch the webinar or read the Q&A to gain a global perspective on how shelters are responding to COVID-19.

Learn More.

Link Roundup: NNEDV in the News

In case you missed it, NNEDV was featured in the following news articles this month…

• Glamour: “An abuser can use any tool to exert control over their victim, including a national health concern such as Covid-19. We’re definitely worried that [abuse] incidents will increase and that situations will become more dangerous.” - Deborah J. Vagins, President and CEO  
• Washington Post: “What we’re seeing is the needs are similar as we see after a natural disaster. But this is much more challenging because covid is affecting the entire country at once.” - Deborah J. Vagins, President and CEO  
• Huffington Post: “Perpetrators of domestic violence commonly try to isolate victims and cut off their relationships with coworkers or friends or family. Not being able to go to work and connect with your colleagues, it can certainly increase your vulnerability.” - Allison Randall, Vice President of Policy and Emerging Issues
• Bloomberg QuickTake: "An abuser may take advantage of an already stressful situation to gain more control." - Deborah J. Vagins, President and CEO

Only through collective actions can we change societal perceptions and make ending domestic violence a national priority. Thank you for joining us in this movement, and for all that you do to end domestic violence. 

For safety and peace,

Deborah J. Vagins
NNEDV President and CEO