AS COVID-19 CAUSED DRAMATIC SURGES IN DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, NEW NO MORE FOUNDATION SURVEY OF SUPPORT SERVICE PROVIDERS IN  31 COUNTRIES SHOWS BIG STRUGGLE TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND

 

Three-Quarters of Frontline Service Providers Around the World Had to Cut or Reduce Services to Survivors of Domestic or Sexual Violence During Pandemic

New Global Report Released During “NO MORE Week” of Special Events, Including 

First NO MORE Week Virtual 5k Walk/Run, Supported by State Farm and the NFL

New York, March 10, 2021 – COVID-19 has been a stark reminder that home is not always a safe place. The pandemic caused cases of domestic and sexual violence to surge across the globe, with the United Nations terming the crisis a “Shadow Pandemic.” Today, the NO MORE Foundation released the results of a new global survey of those working on the frontlines to provide support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout the challenging past year. The new report shows a shared struggle by a vast majority of support service organizations around the world to respond to the increased demand and stay afloat as funding dried up. 

“Domestic and sexual violence was already an epidemic before COVID-19, with one in three women experiencing gender-based violence in her lifetime, but the pandemic exacerbated the problem. While so many sectors have been hurt, our report shows just how challenging it’s been for those trying to protect and support victims of abuse,” said Pamela Zaballa, NO MORE Foundation’s Global Executive Director. “We hope this study will serve as a wake-up call that more attention, funding and innovation are needed to help survivors, support frontline service providers and prevent domestic and sexual violence around the world.” 

Highlights of A NO MORE Report: COVID-19’s Global Impact on Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services include:

• 88% of the nonprofit organizations surveyed were impacted by COVID-19 in their ability to support people who need their services. 
• 75% of those organizations had to reduce or cancel their programs or services due to COVID-19. The figure for the U.S. was even higher with 83% of U.S.-based domestic and sexual violence organizations saying that they reduced or cancelled their services due to the pandemic. 
• At the same time that providers were struggling to maintain services, more than 3 in 5 (63%) domestic violence organizations said that demand for them escalated. 
• 4 in 5 (81%) of the organizations felt that pressures on their staff had increased and a majority (53%) of organizations reported a decline in staff’s mental health. 
• 40% of all the organizations surveyed saw a funding decline during the pandemic and 82% believe fundraising will be even more difficult this year and next. The financial hit was worse among American organizations, with more than half (54%) reporting overall funding decreases. Also, U.S.-based organizations were the only ones to report a reduction in government funding. 
• The survey also demonstrated a few positive outcomes. Most organizations found ways to continue critical emergency services, such as hotlines and shelters, and 71% of organizations surveyed said they were able to innovate as a direct result of the pandemic. 

Read the full report here. 

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The new report comes during the 8th annual NO MORE Week to shine a spotlight on importance of ending domestic violence and sexual assault. This year’s special event, being held from March 7th to March 13th and overlapping with International Women’s Day, focuses on creating a greater understanding of the problem while bringing people around the world together to find and fuel solutions. 

Throughout the Week, people from across the globe are participating in the first-ever NO MORE Week Virtual 5k Walk/Run to raise awareness of and funds to help stop and prevent domestic and sexual violence. The race is a safe, easy way for participants to get some exercise while making a meaningful difference. State Farm teamed up with NO MORE on the race and has been encouraging its employees to sign up. The NFL is also a supporter of the virtual 5k. Registration is open until the end of day on March 12th at https://runsignup.com/nomoreweek5k.

In addition, NO MORE and its Chapters and partners are hosting a series of “KNOW MORE” virtual conversations featuring expert speakers and highlighting a range of timely issues and best practices to prevent violence and support survivors. Events include:

• A session on online safety for children during COVID-19, hosted by Ecuador and Colombia Dice NO MÁS 
• An event exploring the intersectional nature of sexual harassment and violence, with a spotlight on the experiences of Black and minority young women in universities, hosted by Forward, one of NO MORE’s allies in the UK
• A look at the Safe Space Initiative created in partnership with pharmacies across the UK to provide confidential access to support for victims of domestic violence, hosted by UK Says NO MORE
• A discussion on the psychology of domestic violence perpetration led by trauma expert Dr. Kathie Morris, hosted by Washington Says NO MORE

View the schedule and more details of all NO MORE Week activities here.

About NO MORE: The NO MORE Foundation is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. With more than 1,400 allied organizations and over 40 state, local, and international chapters, NO MORE sparks grassroots activism, encouraging everyone—women and men, youth and adults, from all walks of life—to be part of the solution. The Foundation creates and provides public awareness campaigns, educational resources and community organizing tools free-of-charge for anyone wanting to stop and prevent violence. First launched in 2013, NO MORE has brought together the largest coalition of advocacy groups, service providers, governmental agencies, major corporations, universities, communities and individuals, all under a common brand and a unifying symbol in support of a world free of violence. @nomoreorg

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