Read ACESDV’s statement on COVID-19.
See below for resources and information on serving sexual and domestic violence survivors during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. We’ll update this page frequently with the most up to date information and resources.
The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) is making changes in response to the pandemic of COVID-19. Our primary commitment is to the health and safety of survivors of sexual and domestic violence and their families. That has not and will not change during this pandemic.
Survivors are often more vulnerable in times of crisis and need our support now more than ever.
ACESDV’s Sexual and Domestic Violence Services Helpline is still open and operating the regular hours of 8:30a – 5:00p, Monday – Friday with Victim Services Specialists available to assist in Spanish and English, by phone 602-279-2980 or online through chat. While our staff are primarily working remotely from the safety of their homes, we have measures in place to maintain full confidentiality and are continuing operations and support to survivors and the community.
Effective immediately, ACESDV has implemented the following changes:
- All ACESDV staff are working remotely.
- We have cancelled or postponed in-person trainings, site visits, and events scheduled through the end of April. We have made as many meetings virtual as possible. We will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions on an ongoing basis. Please check our website regularly for updates and information.
- We are working closely with our member domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy programs throughout the state to support their needs during this time.
- ACESDV is still open and operating. You can reach us through our main line at 602-279-2900 and via message through our website.
- Learn what you can do if someone you know is experiencing sexual or domestic
violence. (English and Spanish)
Update on Victim Services:
Sexual and domestic violence service organizations around the state are continuing to provide services, but under increasingly difficult circumstances. Some of these services may be modified or provided in other ways. See updates on how Arizona programs are continuing services during the pandemic. Please locate and check in with your local program. Ask how you can help. Immediate needs for programs include paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.), sanitizing products, diapers, and baby wipes. Monetary donations are always welcome and can assist in offsetting increased costs associated with this pandemic.
ACESDV supports the efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. We appreciate all of our partners, health care professionals, first responders, and public officials who are making difficult decisions during these times.
For information on developing your own response, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services coronavirus response page, as well as the CDC’s website. Specific resources for serving survivors during the pandemic are listed below.
Resources from ACESDV:
- What can you can do if someone you know is experiencing sexual or domestic violence? (English and Spanish)
- Feeling safe in your body and mind, a guide for survivors of sexual violence (English and Spanish)
- Finding safety during COVID-19, a guide for survivors of domestic violence (English and Spanish)
- An advocate’s guide to safety planning during COVID-19
- Creative outreach during COVID-19 – English
- Creative outreach during COVID-19 – Spanish
- A booklet for Self-care during COVID-19 – English
- A booklet for Self-care during COVID-19 – Spanish
- At-home activities for children (Spanish & English)
- ACESDV’s Interim Domestic Violence Shelter Guidance on COVID-19
- Grounding Toolkit -English
- Grounding Toolkit – Spanish
- Grounding Worksheet -English
- Grounding Worksheet -Spanish
- How to talk to your children about COVID-19 – English
- How to talk to your children about COVID-19 – Spanish
- Considerations for Immigrant Communities During COVID-19 (Spanish & English)
- Working from Home for Advocates Toolkit COVID-19
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Domestic Violence Programs in Arizona -2020
- Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Donation Needs
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Domestic Violence Programs in Arizona – 2021
Resources from National organizations addressing domestic violence and victim services:
- COVID-19: Coalition Guidance for Programs
- Using Technology to Communicate with Survivors During a Public Health Crisis (find additional related resources in their Digital Services Toolkit)
- Best Practices for Mobile Advocacy
- How to Operate as a Remote Workplace During a Public Health Crisis
- Special Collection: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Additional Disaster-related Resources
- Preventing & Managing the Spread of COVID-19 Within Domestic Violence Programs
- Staying Safe During COVID-19
- Path to Safety: What is a Safety Plan?
- Resources, News & Updates for Victim Services Professionals
Policy Updates:
- Sexual Harassment and Tenant Rights During COVID-19
- ACESDV Factsheet on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Paid Sick and Family Leave)
- COVID-19 National and State Policy Updates
- COVID-19 Arizona Enrichment Centers
- COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
For People with Disabilities and Older Adults:
- Area Agency on Aging 24-Hour Senior Helpline: 1-888-264-2258; for those deaf or hard of hearing can text: 520-775-1899
- What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know about COVID-19?
- What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (In American Sign Language)
- Emergency Helpline for elder tribal members in Arizona: 1-800-552-9257
- Arizona Center for Disability Law Resources and hotline: 1-800-927-2260
Multilingual Resources:
- Live updates on COVID-19 in multiple languages.
- Mantenerse segurx durante COVID-19
- Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI)in-language resources on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Lo que necesita saber sobre la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
- Downloadable Fact Sheets in Multiple Languages
- What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (In American Sign Language)
Legal Resources in Arizona:
- COVID-19 Important Legal Information and Resources from AZ Law Help
- azlawhelp.org
- azcourts.gov/covid19/
- Every Arizona court location and contact information – Municipal, Justice, and Superior Courts
Immigration Related Resources:
- Public Charge does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment for individuals or their children–including for COVID-19. English information. Spanish Information.
- Update regarding Public Charge Rule from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): “USCIS encourages all those, including aliens, with symptoms that resemble Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (fever, cough, shortness of breath) to seek necessary medical treatment or preventive services. Such treatment or preventive services will not negatively affect any alien as part of a future Public Charge analysis.”
- Immigrant Access to Health Care
- Considerations for Immigrant Communities During COVID-19 (Spanish & English)
Hospital Accompaniment & Guidelines:
Programs are encouraged to connect with their Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) members to ensure coordination of services. Some information to discuss with SART members:
- Is the hospital restricting access to “non-essential” visitors, and what does that mean for advocates responding to the hospital?
- Has the advocacy program modified their services in anyway (e.g. telephone services only?)
- If an advocate is unable to provide in-person hospital response, coordinate with the advocate about how they might be available to the survivor by phone.
- If a survivor has an opportunity to speak with an advocate by phone, please ensure the survivor is able to talk with the advocate in a private location at the hospital that promotes confidentiality.
Programs should take guidance directly from local health officials. Advocate on behalf of survivors that medical care following sexual violence is to be considered a medical emergency and not an elective procedure. We all must be creative and flexible so that access to patient care is not compromised or delayed.
Forensic and Emergency Nurse Association resources:
- International Association of Forensic Nurses COVID response page.
- The Emergency Nurses Association COVID-19 Resources.
Housing, Employment, Childcare and other general Resources in Arizona:
- Arizona Housing Coalition COVID-19 Information and Assistance Programs
- Short Term Crisis Services – provides temporary assistance to low-income families experiencing an emergency need.
- Mortgage assistance – resources for homeowners who have been affected by Coronavirus and are struggling to make payments.
- Arizona Department of Economic Security has resources and support for unemployment insurance, employers, cash, medical, and nutritional assistance and childcare assistance.
- Information on finding menstruation products through Go With the Flow AZ, email: gowiththeflowaz@gmail.com
For Parents & Caregivers:
- Meals for kids during Coronavirus School Closure
- Askable Adult Resources
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): What parents should know
- How to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Everything you need to know about washing your hands to protect against coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 10 Ways to Respond to Fear and Scapegoating
- Social emotional support resources for parents and educators
- At-home activities for children (Spanish & English)
- How to talk to your children about COVID-19 – English
- How to talk to your children about COVID-19 – Spanish
Tribal Resources:
Self-care, Healing and Grounding tools:
- Visit ACESDV’s Healing webpage for the most up to date resources on healing.
- A booklet for Self-care during COVID-19 – English
- A booklet for Self-care during COVID-19 – Spanish
- Grounding Toolkit -English
- Grounding Toolkit – Spanish
- Grounding Worksheet -English
- Grounding Worksheet -Spanish
Tips for working from home:
- Work From Home Wellness from the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
- 10 things to manage your health at home.
- 10 Cosas Que Puede Hacer Para Controlar Su Salud En Casa.
- Telework Planning Guide.
Federal Guidance:
Messaging and Statement Guidance:
- Issuing Statements on Service Delivery Changes During COVID-19 created by New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault
ACESDV Media Coverage During COVID-19:
- AZ Central: Coronavirus Stay Home Orders Means Increase Domestic Violence Calls, Advocates Say
- AZ Family: AZ domestic violence expert says victims more at risk in Coronavirus pandemic
- KJZZ: Domestic and Sexual Violence Groups Still Operating Despite Coronavirus Pandemic
- Cronkite News: COVID-19 stay-at-home orders increase the risk of domestic violence, experts warn
- Phoenix New Times: Domestic Violence Shelters Are Open During Coronavirus Pandemic
- ABC 15: COVID-19 Stress Could Trigger Increase in Domestic Violence
- Univision: Autoridades reportan un aumento en casos de violencia doméstica durante el aislamiento
- Tucson Sentinel: Stay At Home Orders Increase Domestic Violence Risk Experts Warn
- Tucson Local Media: Stay-at-Home Order May Put Domestic Violence Survivors in Danger but Support Is Available
- Copper Courier: Coronavirus Is Making Life Especially Dangerous for Domestic Violence Survivors
- Marshall Project: Is Domestic Violence Rising During the Coronavirus Shutdown? Here’s What the Data Shows.
- AZ Central: Domestic violence calls rise in March; help is still available, police say
- KTAR: Phoenix Police, local advocates team up to stop surge of domestic violence
- STL News: Domestic Violence Survivor Shares Story of Hope to Help During COVID-19
- East Valley Tribune: Mesa domestic violence call trends murky
- San Tan Sun: Quarantine fueling rise in violence in homes
- KJZZ: Arizona Effort Aims To Help Families Facing ‘Astronomical’ Stress
Sample Emergency Closure/Paid Administrative Leave Policies:
- Emergency Closure: When the [agency name] office is unexpectedly closed because of uncontrollable factors (i.e., blizzard, tornado, flood, pandemic health crisis), staff scheduled to work will be considered excused absence with paid administrative leave and will not be charged to an individual’s PTO. If the office is closed during an employee’s previously-scheduled PTO or holiday leave, the time off must still be charged to the employee’s PTO balance. Extended closure beyond 3 (three) work days is subject to review and alternate arrangements may be required in order for employees to continue receiving pay; employees will be given 24 (twenty-four) hours’ notice of any such required arrangements.
- Paid Administrative Leave: In the event of an Act of God (i.e., tornado, flood, pandemic health crisis) [agency name] may have to temporarily reduce or cease business activities. If this were to occur, staff may be placed on paid administrative leave.
Sample Remote Work/Flexible Workplace Policies
- Remote Work: Working remotely is permitted only in special circumstances with prior approval from the employee’s supervisor and for specified tasks or projects. With Executive Director approval, a specific job description may be designated as remote in order to attract or retain qualified staff; however, this designation may be removed at any time. Remote employees are expected to maintain regular work schedules to accommodate the needs of [agency name], and they shall report for duty in [city or region] when deemed appropriate by their supervisor.
- See CCASA Flexible Workplace Policy