Austin News

Officials of some organizations helping abuse victims said that COVID-19 is making it difficult for abuse victims to escape to safety.

Leadership of SAFE, an organization in Austin that provides services for abuse victims, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline are finding that COVID-19 is creating obstacles for victims in accessing some services such as shelters, according to KXAN.

SAFE’s housing programs plus its sexual assault clinic are open during COVID-19, according to its website.

“Many of our services – CARES for sex trafficking survivors, Strong Start for parents, Expect Respect for teens, and more – continue to work with clients in modified ways, as well as developing effective and creative ways to address prevention during this time of isolation, fear and heightened vulnerability,” SAFE said on its website. SAFE’s hotline (512)-267-7233 remains open.

However, SAFE’s shelters are full, KXAN reported. Back-up shelters have limited capacities because of social distancing. SAFE employees don’t have in-person meeting with victims, KXAN reported.

Manager of the National Human Trafficking Hotline's call response Korin Arkin said that shelters that are able to can only hold beds for a limited time, according to KXAN. That can be a problem for abuse victims with transportation issues.

“Sometimes shelters will be able to hold a bed for somebody, but only for a specific period of time and then if you can’t get there within that time, the bed might be given to someone else who needs it,” Arkin said as reported by KXAN. “So if you can’t get a flight or you can’t get a bus and you can’t show up there, then you’re just out of luck.”

The National Human Trafficking Hotline website reports that in Texas there were 561 trafficking cases reported this year and 1,217 contacts.