Emergency Status
Apr 08

Domestic Violence and Abuse

While our community continues to take important and necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some community members are at greater risk due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures now in place. Due to isolation and economic uncertainty that exist because of the pandemic, underlying stressors leading to domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse may worsen during this time.

Risks and Risk Factors

  • You need medical attention, but don’t want to go to the emergency room or call 911 because you might be exposed to the coronavirus.
  • You need to leave an abusive situation at home, but there are stay-at-home orders in place in our community and throughout our state.
  • An abused or neglected child may be isolated: teachers, counselors & day care providers aren’t seeing kids, so incidents of child abuse or neglect might not be reported.
  • Care for an older or disabled adult might be reduced or withdrawn altogether, leaving these individuals more vulnerable to abuse or neglect.

Recognize warning signs of abuse or neglect

  • Signs of physical injury, and no logical explanation
  • Unexplained behavior changes
  • Fear or reluctance to talk in front of a parent, family member or caregiver
  • Inadequate care or supervision, poor hygiene, dirty clothes or homes, lack of food for children or at-risk individuals
  • Use of fear surrounding COVID-19 to manipulate behavior, demean or blame an individual, gain control over finances, or cut off contact with loved ones
  • Increased stress due to COVID-19, stay-at home orders, and economic uncertainty

What to do

  • Call 911 if you or someone at home is in immediate danger
  • Seek help now if you or someone at home needs medical attention or a safe place to stay
  • Medical and EMS personnel, emergency rooms and urgent care providers are available and modifying their operations and practices to limit potential exposure to the virus.

Call if you need a safe place to stay, counseling or support

Local domestic violence shelters are operating, and crisis lines continue to offer confidential 24-hour support. Chat online or email if you can’t call from home:

Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) 24-hour crisis hotline: 303-444-2424 email: hotline@safehousealliance.org

Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley 24/7 Crisis Line: 303-772-4422 online: www.safeshelterofstvrain.org/contact-us/

Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA) hotline: 303-443-7300 email: info@movingtoendsexualassault.org

CU Boulder Office of Victim Assistance: 303-492-8855; email: assist@colorado.edu

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799- SAFE (7233); chat: www.thehotline.org/help/

Report child abuse or neglect

Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services: 303-441-1309; online contact: www.bouldercounty.org/departments/housingand-human-services/contact-us/

Blue Sky Bridge: 303-444-1388; email: info@blueskybridge.org

Colorado’s Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1-844-CO-4KIDS

Help for older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers

Adult Protective Services: 303-441-1000; online: www.bouldercounty.org/departments/housingand-human-services/contact-us/

Boulder County Area Agency on Aging: 303-441- 3570; email: bcaaa@bouldercounty.org