Chatham County domestic violence agency sounds alarm at fewer victims despite increased police calls

While police calls for domestic violence in Chatham County are up this year during the coronavirus pandemic, officials at Savannah's domestic violence chief advocate said her numbers are down from historic levels

That has Cheryl Branch, executive at the SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Services Outreach Services, concerned.

"Last year we helped more than 1,300 victims, including about 500 children, receive services," Branch said. "This year, domestic violence calls have risen nearly 20 percent since March in Chatham County due to the COVID virus."

Chatham County police reported 593 domestic calls between Jan. 1 and July 18 this year, an increase of 17.2 % from 506 for the same period last year.

At the same time, county police reported 55.9% decrease in domestic aggravated assault cases from 34 for the same time frame last year to 15 for 2020. But, Savannah police reported a slight decrease in domestic violence calls for service with 1,789 from January through June 2019, to 1,669 for the same period this year.

Only in March and June did the numbers increase for 2020 over the previous year.

Those numbers show a 4.8% overall decrease in domestic violence calls or 4.9% decrease from Jan. 1-July 17.

Domestic violence aggravated assault cases decreased by 19.7 % overall or 19.8 percent between Jan. 1-July 17, Savannah police said.

"If history repeats itself, SAFE Shelter will experience another sharp uptick in the victim population as the summer heat progresses," Branch said.

The shelter at an undisclosed site has a capacity of 48 beds, she said. "We're at 34. Normally in the summer we're over capacity. ... I know the numbers are lower than this time of year historically.

"It concerns me because I'm worried about the people who should be here but aren't."

Those concerns are shared by advocates who worry that with the coronavirus pandemic forcing people to remain indoors abused family members may not be able to flee for help.

"They are just being trapped in with their abuser and they don't have any way to escape," Branch said.

Anecdotally, Branch says she hears police who respond to domestic violence calls telling victims, 'Let me call SAFE shelter for you,'" she said. "The victims don't want them to call SAFE."

"We have a lot of calls" at the shelter, she said. "We ask, 'Are you safe?'

"We do safety planning. Let's try to help you come up with a plan to keep you safe."

The shelter residential program is one of three offered by the agency, Branch said. A follow-up program provides assistance for up to two years for victims after they leave the shelter.

For those who do not need shelter but want protection from an abuser, the shelter's Outreach program can help get a temporary protective orders from a Chatham County Superior Court judge at the Chatham County Courthouse.

At this time last year, that program saw 131 victims, Branch said. Through July 20 this year, the program has seen 171 victims, she added.

Budget woes

Those services come at a cost, Branch said, adding that the shelter is seeking the community's help serving a growing number of victims of domestic violence in the metro Savannah area during the COVID pandemic.

The organization's annual budget is about $1.5 million, but it is currently facing a 35% reduction of funding from across-the-board cuts in state aid of $15,324, and the cancellation of all fundraising events during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Branch said.

SAFE Shelter's annual Giving Gala -- which accounts for about 20 percent of the agency's budget -- was scheduled for November 21 but has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID pandemic. The event typically raises more than $200,000 through corporate sponsorships, live and silent auctions and individual donations.

A second fundraiser in April at the Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church also had to be scrapped for the same reason, she said. That event nets between $15,000-$17,000 each year.

Police response

"Law enforcement around the country reported spikes in domestic violence cases during the stay-at-home orders, so we feel our numbers are reflecting a nationwide trend," Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said.

"As soon as we saw the increase, we launched a domestic violence awareness campaign that included numerous media outlets, social media, and grass roots communications.

"Sadly, many of the stresses brought on by COVID-19 -- which include job loss and economic uncertainty, health concerns, sheltering-in-place, and the overall anxiety of living in the midst of a global pandemic -- can have a very negative impact on how people deal with each other at home.

"There are a variety of reasons why a domestic violence victim may choose to stay in their home with their abuser, rather than move in to the home of a friend, relative, or a shelter.

"Our officers frequently suggest SAFE Shelter, and will give any victim a ride to their location to get them to safety as quickly as possible," he said. "But our officers cannot force someone to seek help or move into SAFE Shelter. That decision is entirely up to the victim."

At the Savannah Police Department, Police Sgt. Michael Kerr, supervisor of the Family Violence Unit, said, "overall, between January and July 2020, there has been a 19.8% reduction in aggravated assault (Domestic Violence Act) cases.

"There has also been a decrease in calls for service," he said.

"When officers respond to (Domestic Violence Act) calls, they conduct a lethality assessment and will offer Safe Shelter services to the individual. At times, individuals do decline, but will accept the Safe Shelter outreach number.

"During the height of COVID-19, when the shelter in place order was in effect, (Domestic Violence Act) calls for service did increase.

"This was due to constant cohabitation between abusers and those being abused. When the shelter in place order lifted, we saw calls decrease, which has been a national trend and not specific to Savannah."

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