Community Health Advocates and Domestic Violence

As shelter-in-place orders and safer-at-home mandates keep us from venturing away from home, we face the unfortunate reality that this pandemic may keep people in closer proximity to their abusers. Data from the National Domestic Violence Hotline shows that contact volume to the hotline has increased 9% from 2019 to 2020.

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) is a statewide nonprofit coalition of agencies and individuals working to stop domestic violence in Delaware. If you or someone you know is in a dangerous or unhealthy relationship, there are a variety of resources to help:

• Delaware’s domestic violence hotline and shelter services are still up and running — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 302-762-6110 (New Castle County) or 302-422-8058 (Kent and Sussex counties).
• Community Health Advocates are available to help. They will meet with you in a place where you feel safe and comfortable, such as a coffee shop, doctor’s office, courthouse, library, or your home. They will help provide safety for you, your children, and your pets; connect you with social services; help you get treatment from doctors or nurses; and provide transportation to and from appointments. To reach a Community Health Advocate, call 302-757-2137.

You and your loved ones deserve safety and security. If you or someone you know feels unsafe, please call.

Learn more about the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) and the resources they offer.