Breaking Down Barriers: Domestic Violence Center of Chester County

Observed for the first time in October 1981, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held every year in October to unite advocates across the nation in efforts to end and educate others about domestic violence. As the current global and economic crisis continues to expand, the effects of the pandemic have showcased alarming trends highlighting spikes in domestic violence cases as stay at home orders have been enforced nationwide. The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) has amplified their current initiatives to directly address the needs of domestic violence survivors, executing most of their programming virtually as they help victims and their families. DVCCC was recently awarded a grant of $20,000 for two years as part of our Rapid Response General Operating Fund to directly address the effects of COVID-19 on their organization and community and to help in the rebuild post crisis.

Since the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County opened their doors, they have served more than 40,000 people impacted by domestic abuse, averaging over 3,000 survivors and their dependent children each year. Through their work, their mission is to provide intervention, education, outreach, advocacy, and programs to prevent, reduce, and remedy domestic violence in Chester County. We had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Dolly Wideman-Scott, the CEO of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, to discuss the importance of their work and the dire needs of survivors during these times. Dolly discusses the direct impact of COVID-19 on their organization, the importance of community efforts, and the devastating effects stay at home orders have had on domestic violence victims.

Read the full article here.