Barbara Niess May

Police are responding to an increased number of domestic violence calls during the coronavirus pandemic.  An increase had been expected because many women have to shelter-in-place with their abusers.  Shelters had prepared for an increase in service requests, but those calls aren't coming as frequently as anticipated.  As WEMU'S David Fair found out from Safehouse Center executive director Barbara Niess-May, that is worrisome for a number of reasons. 

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, most people have been required to stay home at all times, especially after Governor Whitmer passed her "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order on Monday.  Yet, home is not a safe place for those who deal with domestic violence.  Safehouse Center executive director Barbara Niess-May joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on how domestic abuse victims can stay safe during this time of public health pandemic. 

The #MeToo movement continues to spread awareness of sexual harassment and abuse throughout the country.  The silver lining is more women are coming forward, and community conversations are taking place.  However, harassment remains underreported, and insufficient workplace and judicial systems are in place to end systemic support of such behaviors.  Safehouse Center executive director Barbara Niess-May joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss her op-ed piece, "Sexual Harrassment: Its Impact and Solutions." 

Washtenaw County will soon become the first in the state to pledge to end victim-blaming in sexual assault cases. 

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  It's a topic that's been in the news a lot this year with several professional football players involved in high-profile cases.  The director of SafeHouse Center believes society is taking the issue a lot more seriously.