Health Care

Governor Raimondo developing a “comprehensive plan” to deal with domestic violence increase during pandemic

“[We are] looking for ways to provide more shelter, looking for ways to provide more hotline and access and resources and information and outreach, certainly talking about it so people know they are not alone and encouraging people to reach out for help if they need it.“ Today Giovanna Rodriguez, a survivor of and advocate against domestic violence asked UpriseRI

Published on April 9, 2020
By Steve Ahlquist

“[We are] looking for ways to provide more shelter, looking for ways to provide more hotline and access and resources and information and outreach, certainly talking about it so people know they are not alone and encouraging people to reach out for help if they need it.


Today Giovanna Rodriguez, a survivor of and advocate against domestic violence asked UpriseRI to submit a question to Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo during her daily COVID-19 press conference: “Domestic violence is up 30 percent in last night’s news cast,” asked Rodriguez. “How important it is to get resources out to victims and let them know they are not alone?”

Here’s the Governor’s response:

“So thank you, Giovanna. It’s vitally important. It’s life saving. I found out about this a few days ago when I was checking in with Colonel [James] Manni of the [Rhode Island] State Police. It’s true, I think across the state, that the number of calls to nine one one on account of domestic violence has gone up quite a bit in the past few weeks. [It’s] not entirely surprising. Many, many people are out of work. We’re all stuck in our homes and it’s frustrating.”

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-494-8100

“Having said that,” continued Governor Raimondo, “it’s not acceptable and we are putting together a comprehensive plan to address it. [We are] looking for ways to provide more shelter, looking for ways to provide more hotline and access and resources and information and outreach, certainly talking about it so people know they are not alone and encouraging people to reach out for help if they need it. And also looking for additional ways that we can work with public safety to address it. It’s a problem. It’s a priority and we’re on it.

“I would welcome you [Giovanna Rodriguez], as an advocate and as an expert, to reach out to my office because we need your help. We want your ideas and this is an everybody kind of a thing. We all have to respond.”


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