Organization working to address Indiana's uptick in domestic violence-related deaths Share Updated: 6:29 PM EDT Jul 16, 2021 Share Updated: 6:29 PM EDT Jul 16, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript IN SOUTHERN INDIANA. OUR MUNASHE KWANGWARI TALKS TO A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SHARES WHAT’S BEING NEDO TO GIVE PEOPLE LIKE HER, A SAFE HAVEN, TO ESCAPE ABUSE. MUNASHE: THE CENTER FOR WOMAN AND FAMILIES HELPS PEOPLE DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSLT.AU TWO ISSUES LEADERS TELL ME INCREASED DURINGHE T PANDEMIC, ES PECIALLY IN INDIANA. SO THE ORGANIZATION DECIDETOD SET UP SHOP HERE IN JEFFERSONVILLE, GIVING PEOPLE A PLACE THEY CAN COME TO ESCAPE THR EISITUATION. >> PROXIMITY IS EVERYTHING, WHEN PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY CAN NDFI RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NEAR THEM, THEY’RE GOING TO BE A LOT MEOR LIKELY TO REACH OUT TO THOSE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT CAN POTENTIALLY SAVE THEIR LIVES. MUNASHE: IT’S THREE ASON THE LOUISVILLE-BASED ORGANIZATION DECIDED TO ADD A SATELTELI FACILITY ON THE CORNER OF AKSER AVENUE AND G. GUTTMAN BOULEVD.AR THEY WANTED TO MAKE THE ROAD TO SAFETY SHORTER FOR PEOPLE IN THIS ANONYMOUS SURVIVOR’S SHOES. >> DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, OUR CALLS WENTOW D APPROXIMATELY %.30 SO WE PRETTY CHMU KNEW, OK, ONCE THINGS START TO OPEN AND PEOPLE CAN GET OUT AND MAKE CONTACT, GRACES -- CASES LLWI INCREASE, AND THEY DID. MUNASHE: PRESIDENT AND CEO ELIZABETH WESSELS-MARTIN SAYS, IN INDIANA, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AFTETHR E HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC. >> NOT ONLY DID CASES INCRSE , BUT THE SEVERITY OF THE INJURIES AND THE STORIES THAT WE HEARD WERE MUCH WORSE. IT ISOS IMPORTANT THAT VICTIMS, FAMILIES, INDIVIDLSUA, ANYONE WHO NEEDS US KNOWS THAT WE DO HAVE A PRESENCE HERE AND THIS IS A SAFE PLACE TO COME. MUNASHE: A SAFE PLACE THAT SURVIVORS SAY IS MUCH MORE TNHA JUST A BUILDING. >> HAVING A SAFE HAVEN, MEANS THAT THERE IS HOPE. LA OF CKA SAFE HAVEN MEANS COMPLETE HOPELESSNESS. MUNASHE:HE FACILITY WILL BE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., WITH ADVOCATES AVAILABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN. >> WHEN WE’VE BEEN IN A SITUATION WHEN WE’RE ISOLATED FOR SO LONG SOMETIMES WE JUST KNOW FOR A FACT THAT NO ONISE GOING TO BELIEVE US. WHEN THEY REACOUT H TO THE CENTER FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES, THEY WILL BE BELIEVED. NO JUDGMENT. MUNASHE: IN JEFFERIL