LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A resource center in Lexington is still offering its services as October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Nest provides a safe place for education, counseling, and support to children and families in crisis.
Like everyone, The Nest has adjusted their daily operations because of COVID-19.
"Once we sort of got grounded in what we were doing, the calls just started increasing," Katie Mooney, Director of Domestic Violence and Parenting Programs said.
The Nest is a resource center for families going through a crisis and works with law enforcement and other organizations to offer support. The resource center says in some homes, stress is handled in violent and abusive ways.
"It is an extremely stressful time right now. Families are facing job loss; they're facing bills that they are having a hard time being able to pay. The stress levels in homes are higher than they've ever been," Mooney said.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has further isolated victims and their abusers. The Nest says it's essential to check in on your loved ones and watch for signs of abuse.
"Controlling behavior, it could be that someone that was once very talkative and outgoing now they're more shy and kind of quiet," Kesayne Bailey, Supervisor of Intimate Partner and Violence Parenting, said.
Because asking if someone is doing okay could be life-changing.
"Domestic violence doesn't have a color; it doesn't have a religion; it doesn't have a socio-economic bias. It happens to everybody," Bailey added.
