Doylestown Agency Sees Jump In Domestic Violence Calls

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Domestic violence calls have increased nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bucks County is no exception.

Local advocates for victims of domestic violence are seeing an increasing need for their services as the stress and tension of the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates existing tensions between partners and family members.

"It's been a long haul," said Marianne Lynch, Executive Director of A Woman's Place, a domestic violence community benefit organization in Bucks County that operates a 24-hour hotline.

During the government shutdown, Lynch said the organization reported a decrease in calls, which she attributed to victims not being able to get away from their abusers. By the time lockdown restrictions ended in June, however, calls had increased again, and the agency is now fielding about 500 calls a month, well above its 2019 average of 300 monthly calls.

In addition to its anonymous hotline, the organization is providing housing for 11 families at safehouses in Bucks County, their counseling services are "maxed out" and its legal services team is flooded with cases.

"People think of us just as a shelter, but we have a full housing program where we help survivors transition into permanent housing and help them relocate if necessary," Lynch said, adding that they also offer free legal advocacy for clients going through the court system.

The organization is looking to raise about $50,000 to meet its fundraising goal for the year, Lynch said, and while they've benefited from CARES Act money, those funds must be spent by the end of 2020.

"We all kind of fall off a cliff at that point," she said. "We're worried how we're going to be able to serve extra families."

Lynch says she fears for families relying on unemployment income if pandemic assistance isn't extended in 2021, and the ripple effects that can have on domestic life.

In 2019, the agency reported 3,600 calls to its domestic violence hotline. That number is expected to jump to about 6,000 2020, Lynch said.

"The thing I’m hearing is cases are more intense," she said. "And that’s scary."

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can call the free 24-hour hotline at A Woman's Place at 1-800-220-8116.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know about a local organization that should be profiled, email peter.blanchard@patch.com.