BUFFALO (WBEN) - As rates of domestic violence have risen during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, State Senator Tim Kennedy announced $100,000 in state funding to the Family Justice Center to help combat it.
During the COVID lockdown, the Family Justice Center experienced a 74% spike in hotline calls. In 2020, the FJC's Forensic Medical Unit worked with: -215 domestic violence victims
-102 cases of strangulations
-61 cases of head injuries
"Our Forensic Medical Unit is busier than ever, and the reports from clients including serious injuries are like nothing we have ever experienced before," said CEO Mary Travers Murphy.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the FJC has been operating remotely, with staff assisting victims by phone, virtually, and limited in-person contact.
"When the pandemic hit, the COVID-19 virus wasn't the only public health crisis that we witnessed," said Kennedy. "Demand for crisis services across our region and nation skyrocketed due to the mandated quarantine that so many of us faced in order to stay safe."
Unfortunately, the rates of domestic violence reports and demand on these crisis centers have not decreased along with COVID restrictions.
"There has been absolutely no letup in the amount of clients that we continue to provide support and services to," said FJC Operations Manager Ava Thomas.
The state funding towards staffing the Forensic Medical Unit, as well as purchasing high tech cameras, lighting equipment, as well as ongoing training and supplies needed to effectively run the unit.
The Forensic Medical Unit serves several roles, including detailing client injuries on an electronic map of the body and taking high tech color pictures of injuries, which helps assist the District Attorney's Office in prosecuting perpetrators.
