BREAK THE SILENCE IN COVID-19

Awareness Through Creativity

Using art, music, and education to promote safety, wellness, and awareness during COVID-19.

HEALING THROUGH COMMUNITY

What is BREAK THE SILENCE IN COVID-19 about?

A series of ten workshops will provide information on prevention of both elder abuse and violence against women and will give tips to improve mental wellness.

Using music, art, lectures and poetry, the workshops will educate, inform, and inspire women, elders and the community as a whole on the importance of safety and wellness.

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SUPPORT, SAFETY & AWARENESS

Domestic Violence & Elder Abuse During COVID-19

Violence against women and girls is increasing globally as the COVID-19 pandemic combines with economic and social stresses and measures to restrict contact and movement. Crowded homes, substance abuse, limited access to services and reduced peer support are exacerbating these conditions.

Alongside the increase in numbers, violence against women is taking on new complexity: exposure to COVID-19 is being used as a threat; abusers are exploiting the inability of women to call for help or escape; women risk being thrown out on the street with nowhere to go.

Before Covid-19, it was estimated that one in six older people were subject to abuse but emerging evidence suggests this has sharply increased since the crisis. Such abuse includes physical, financial, psychological, verbal and sexual assault.

Often the abuse is tolerated as older people who have been disproportionately hit by the financial impact of the pandemic are reliant on relatives for support.