032 INTERVIEW: Personal Safety During The Pandemic

Apr 13, 2020

In the first half of this episodeI discuss:

• Assessing your home environment for potential areas of vulnerability
• Identifying options and resources to improve your safety
• How to create a “safe room”
• What to do if you think someone is trying to get into your home

 

In the second half of this episode, Ruthven Darlene and I discuss:

• Addressing concerns of personal safety unique to this time of shelter in place for both single women and those who find themselves in dangerous domestic environments.
• Adapting your self-defense and preparedness to the new world of shelter-in-place. 
• The complex layers of danger added to homes under the control of an abuser during this pandemic and some tactics for surviving.
• Putting language to all forms of abuse to shine the light on it and overcome it.

 

Ruthven Darlene is the founder of Women SV. 

WomenSV helps survivors address the risks and challenges of being trapped in a relationship with an affluent abuser. They also offer professional training that assists providers in delivering more trauma-informed care to their patients, students and clients. 

 

Key Takeaways:

• Identifying areas of vulnerability allows you to implement safeguards
• You’re actually not MORE vulnerable during the pandemic, you’re just more aware of risks
• you are a powerful, badass woman with amazing strength and lots of options and resources. You can keep yourself safe by preparing mentally and physically.
• The rules have changed for single women, and for those in abusive situations, but you can adapt and stay safe.
• Self-care, in whatever way you can manage it right now, may be one of your best defenses.
• Surround yourself with people you trust as much as you can.
• You are not alone, and you will get through this!

 

"I would ask you to just to stay the course if you can, to take very good care of yourself, to know that there are other women out there that have made it through this dark time, and you can too. It helps if you gather other people around you who understand, and we are there to help you in any way we can. You deserve to live in peace and safety in your own home...keep your eyes on the prize...this quarantine will end and you will eventually be set free." —  Ruthven Darlene

 

Mentioned: 

Confronting Domestic Violence: How to survive domestic abuse during quarantine

 

thewirecutter.com: Protect Your Devices Against Domestic Abusers

 

Signal App:      Android App Store

 

Connect with Ruthven Darlene:

Website: www.WomenSV.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Womensv/

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: 1-833-WOMENSV (1-833-966-3678)

 

 

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