Manataba Messenger

Page 19 A Pandemic within a Pandemic-Domestic Violence Long before COVID-19 became a pandemic, there was another pandemic cir- culating in every country around the world - domestic violence. That pan- demic is now dramatically increasing in the face of the novel coronavirus, and its impacts are being felt in powerful and destructive ways. The uncontrolled rate of domestic violence across the United States and around the world involves millions of women, men, and children each year. It results in more than 50,000 women killed annually around the globe, according to the United Nations. In Indian country, 84% of Native American women experience violence in their lifetime, and therefore it is essential that there are services available to the women in Indian Communities. Across the country, around the world and locally, news reports focused on the mounting of higher rates of pandemic COVID -19 affecting people, and as Stay at Home orders are implemented, business closures and layoffs sky- rocket. Millions feel nothing but despair and hopelessness. People are losing jobs, finding themselves gripped with fear and anxiety, and many women are now at home quarantined with men who already have a history of domestic violence. The Colorado River Indian Tribes have recognized when telling the public to “Stay Home, Stay Safe” that prevention and redress of violence against women on the reservation is a key part of their response plan to COVID-19. Women whose homes or residences are unsafe or become unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, are urged to leave their homes or residences and stay at a safe alternate location as neces- sary. As the COVID-19 pandemic expanded, the National Domestic Violence Hotline noted a slight drop in calls, realizing victims are now home with their abusers and it is more difficult to access help. Arrests are dropping as law enforcement struggles to maintain social order and face closures in court systems, pressure to reduce jail populations, and reduced operations in prosecutor's offices. Victims are having a hard time extending their restraining orders against abusers or protecting themselves from COVID-19 exposure due to child visitation or exchanges with their former abusive partners. Across the country, shelters, non-profit agencies, and locally, the CRIT Domestic Violence Advocate in collaboration with the Colorado River Crisis Shelter, and other near- by resources, are doing everything to stay open, offer safe housing in shelters or motels, offer meaningful civil legal services, and provide virtual and electronic access to advocacy, safety planning, and support. We call on all to help us address the pandemic within the pandemic. We need help in our work to protect victims of domestic violence. We must demand attention and action in response to the vio- lence of primarily men against women going on in homes intended to be a safe haven during COVID-19. What we are seeing is not a surprise and it is not new. We need domestic violence offenders to go to jail and/or stay in jail. We have seen it before in war-torn countries and in places where social controls break down that violence against women increases when offenders face no consequences and then more women and children die. We must tell victims of domestic violence that they don't have to stay quarantined in a dangerous situation. And we must have the services available for them as soon as they need them. The Resources available locally for immediate assistance include: Colorado River Indian Tribes Domestic Violence Victim Advocate- (928) 669 2906; Colorado River Indian Police (928) 669 1777: Colorado River Regional Crisis Shelter (928) 669 8527. The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233; Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483. Janice Patch, Victim Advocate Colorado River Indian Tribes,Victim Advocate Program 1317 Joshua St. Suite A., Parker, AZ 85344 (928) 669-2906 Report Child Abuse or Neglect Arizona Child Abuse Hotline 1-888-767-2445 A report of suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment is a responsible attempt to protect a child. Arizona law requires certain persons who suspect that a child has received non-accidental injury or has been neglect- ed to report their concerns to DCS or local law enforcement (ARS §13-3620.A). YOU may be a child’s only advocate at the time you report the possibility of abuse or neglect. Children often tell a person with whom they feel safe about abuse or neglect. If a child tells you of such experiences, act to protect that child by calling the toll free Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888- 767-2445). What is child abuse or neglect? When a parent, guardian or custodian inflicts or allows the infliction of physical, sexual or emotion- al abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. —Physical abuse includes non-accidental physical injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns, cuts or other injuries. —Sexual abuse occurs when sex acts are per- formed with children. Using children in pornogra- phy, prostitution or other types of sexual activity is also sexual abuse. —Neglect occurs when children are not given nec- essary care for illness or injury. Neglect also includes leaving young children unsupervised or alone, locked in or out of the house, or without adequate clothing, food, or shelter. Allowing chil- dren to live in a very dirty house which could be a health hazard may also be considered neglect. —Emotional abuse of a child is evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or improp- er aggressive behavior as diagnosed by a medical doctor or psychologist, and caused by the acts or omissions of the parent or caretaker. —Exploitation means use of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian for material gain. —Abandonment means the failure of the parent to provide reasonable support and to maintain regu- lar contact with the child, including providing nor- mal supervision, when such failure is intentional and continues for an indefinite period. Who must report? Any person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of physical injury, abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense or neglect. The following persons are required by law to report: —The parent, stepparent or guardian of the minor. —Any other person who has responsibility for the care or treatment of the minor. Where can a report be made? A report can be made to the DCS Statewide Toll- Free Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-767-2445, (1- 888-SOS-CHILD) or law enforcement office. www.dsc.az.gov Mxsh,Unsplash TRIBAL WARM LINE Monday - Friday 7 pm -11pm & Monday - Thursday 12 pm - 5 pm 1-855-728-8630 Care. Right. Now. Serving Counties: La Paz, Yuma, Pinal, Graham, Greenlee and Gila. Serving Nations: Ak-Chin, Tohono O’odham, San Carlos, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Quechan, Cocopah and Tonto Apache. SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Need someone to talk to? Need help? Feeling down? Help is available. Confidential American Indian Support Service.