June 2020 Hot Topic — Domestic Violence in the Time of the Pandemic
Speaker: Sharon Roberson, CEO and President of the YWCA Nashville will discuss the challenges facing our community at this time.
Through ZOOM, the LWVNashville was able to continue our Hot Topics with an excellent program about unfortunate increases in domestic violence during the pandemic. Our speaker was Sharon K. Roberson, Esq., President and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. She shared with us information on the Weaver Center, the largest domestic violence center in the state. Today, sixty-six people, over half of them children, are housed at the domestic violence shelter. The Covid 19 pandemic has provided the perfect storm for an increase in domestic violence. The downturn in our economic situation, stay-in-place orders, job loss, and loss of the ability to gather at places of worship, at camps, and at schools all have had an impact on how we handle stress in our lives and has led to violence, particularly against women. The YWCA Weaver Center provides a safe place for families to heal and move forward. Initially, when a person arrives, they are placed in quarantine until Covid 19 test results come back. Then, for up to 45 days, a variety of services are offered to help the domestic violence victim begin to move forward. Each time a new family unit moves out, the rooms they had occupied are rigorously cleaned in preparation for the next group.
In an effort to combat domestic violence over the years, the YWCA has also worked on engaging men and boys in programs that change the culture that supports violence against women. They have also worked with the police and other law enforcement/court offices combatting violence against women. The YWCA, in dealing with the way the pandemic has affected their other services, has begun to rely on
online services, providing a camp for girls, adult outreach services, and classes.
Ms. Roberson responded to a number of questions from LWVN participants and ended her presentation with a brief PSA: Want to volunteer? Contact Allison Adams at: allison.adams@ywcanashville.com.