For victims of abuse sheltering-in-place may not be the safest option but The Gateway Center in Cordele is here for them

CORDELE, Ga. – Millions of Georgians have sheltered-in-place for over a month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But for victims of abuse, there is no safety at home.

However, for people who may feel like they’re in the dark, The Gateway Center in Cordele offers a glimmer of hope.

 The Gateway Center is a non-profit dedicated to providing services for children in suspected child abuse and for all the victims of sexual assault.

Because of the shelter in place order, many places where people are likely to notice signs of abuse are now closed, The Gateway Center says there’s been over a 50% drop in requests for their services.

“Now the concern is how many of those people are in need of those services but they no longer have that break in the day, they’re around the abuser all the time, they don’t feel like its safe to make that call or to reach out or even have us call back and our number shows up on the caller ID. So that decrease has been concerning,” says Sexual Assault Center Director & Outreach Coordinator Malcolm King. 

Before the pandemic, the organization was getting anywhere from 25-30 calls a month. 

“Since March 16 we’ve received fewer than 10.”

This drop in asking for help doesn’t mean that the need has disappeared.

“The services that we provide are so essential like you cant ignore child abuse and neglect you cannot ignore sexual assault just because there’s a risk of contaminations,” says King.

But the organization is taking unprecedented precautions: Wearing gloves, masks, standing behind sneeze guards, even conducting forensic interviews six feet apart.

“We’re trying to make sure that the staff and the victims are safe,” says The Gateway Center Executive Director Lelee Phinney.

Phinney says that community members can also help this vulnerable population during this time.

“If you see something, say something,” she says.

With Georgia slowly reopening Phinney says that checking in on neighbors and having a keen eye while out in public can make all the difference.  

“I’m hoping with the opening being staggered, everybody needs to be just a little more vigilant of their neighbors.”

If you or someone you know can benefit from The Gateway Center’s services, call 229-273-0600. Visit their website for more information.