Sexual assault hospital calls drop during pandemic

An unintended consequence of a stay-at-home order is an increase of family violence when existing stressors like job loss become more frequent.

However, the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center has seen a dramatic drop in victims reaching out for hospital service calls for the month of March. In February of this year, HCWC received 23 calls and that number dropped to four calls in March.

HCWC Director of Community Partnerships Melissa Rodriguez said calls for help were steadily rising, compared to 2019, until the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. The rise in calls, Rodriguez said, is a sign that people are more knowledgeable and willing to take advantage of the resources available. Records show about 93 percent increase in calls compared to March 2019.