MORGANTOWN — The Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center suspended all in-person advocacy because of COVID-19.
“We are here for survivors,” RDVIC Executive Director Alexia Jennings said. “Any capacity we can help in that’s safe within the CDC recommendations, we want to make sure they know that we are here for them.”
Advocates will still be taking calls 24/7 though the agency’s hotline, 304-292-5100, Sexual Assault Response Program Coordinator Carl Phlegar said.
Officials in all levels of government from the City of Morgantown to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging people to stay home in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, but home isn’t safe for everyone.
Jennings said RDVIC recognizes that and, as a last resort, the organization will offer shelter to the best of its abilities.
“We’re limiting contact but not completely cutting off all contact,” Phlegar said.
The agency is also doing its best to keep those in its care safe, Jennings said. Clients are being asked to self-quarantine, limit their exposure to others and stay inside as much as possible.
The importance of other precautions the CDC recommends, such as frequent hand-washing, are also being stressed.
“It’s definitely a community effort,” Jennings said. “They do share space so it’s important to take those extra precautions.”
Updates can be found on the organization’s website, Twitter or Instagram.
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