A SAFE HOME FOR EVERY CHILD DURING COVID-19
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Not every home is safe and not every child has a home.
As the spread of COVID-19 has forced people indoors, life has become even more challenging for families experiencing domestic violence, especially for those who are most marginalized. Not only are women experiencing this violence, but many children, who are also home from school, are witnessing and potentially experiencing domestic violence themselves.

Start by making your home a safe place and set the good example for others to follow.

If you need to find a shelter (either if you are a kid or an adult) click here for resources and useful information

It comes at a time when children are deprived of the very support networks that help them cope: from their friends and trusted teachers to after-school activities and visits to a beloved relative’s house that provide an escape from their abusive environment.

We offer some recommendations that could help to minimize the opportunity for abuse to happen in these days:

• Update the house rules to avoid isolated one-on-one time situations like: all doors must be open at all times, discuss areas of the house that are off-limits like basements, bedrooms or attics, bathroom privacy.
• Talk with the children about safety, remind them that if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable or someone breaks the rules, they can tell you. Conversations help kids to build a trust relationship with you.
• Focus on group activities, try to keep everyone together as much as possible. There are many activities that can be shared like playing a board game, cleaning, cooking and doing exercise.​

Here we share some tips and resources for parents and children during COVID time:
- https://preventchildabuse.org/coronavirus-resources/

Resources:
- https://www.d2l.org/protective-steps/
- https://www.keep-kids-safe.org/
- https://www.care.org/togetherforher/
- https://time.com/5818006/coronavirus-children-angelina-jolie/
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