Flat Funding, Increased Demands Squeeze Domestic Violence Shelters, Advocacy Organizations
The domestic violence helpline at Interval House rings constantly. It rings at night, and it rings on the weekends, and it rings so much, helpline employees and volunteers avoid bathroom breaks, just to make sure someone is always there to answer.
The calls are just one manifestation of the increased demand for domestic violence services in Connecticut. In 2007, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported that together, advocacy organizations across the state answered 23,973 helpline calls and sheltered 977 adults.