In an interview regarding how she and her organization are adjusting to a new work environment, continuing to serve their community, and remaining resilient amid all things COVID-19, Ann McCarty, Executive Director of the North County Rape Crisis Center (or, "the Center," as McCarty and her colleagues often refer to their organization), shared that the Center is finding itself busier than ever.

 

McCarty reported that the influx of work that she and her employees are experiencing is nothing of what they had expected: "It's a different kind of busy," Ann shared. 

 

Like most, the North County Rape Crisis Center has made necessary adjustments to remote work due to physical distancing guidelines. For them, this has included tactfully utilizing their social media platforms to continue their outstanding efforts to educate the community on things like triggers, self-care at home, and the multitude of ways in which the Center can be a continued pillar of support for survivors of sexual violence. McCarty emphasized that although it has been a trying time for everyone involved, the exceptional collaborative effort on behalf of the employees in the Center has proved crucial in keeping the spirit and mission of the organization alive amid the virus. 

 

McCarty shared with me that she takes part in a weekly phone call with other leaders of Rape Crisis Centers across the state. From these calls, she has been able to gather that although there is discourse circulating of rates of violence likely increasing due to folks being in quarantine with their abusers, reports to 24/7 crisis hotlines across the state have decreased since physical distancing began. McCarty reported that these trends mirrored those of the North County Rape Crisis Center.

 

Looking toward reopening, McCarty warmly highlighted the importance of community leaders (teachers, mentors, doctors, loved-ones, etc.) reporting signs of abuse. McCarty outlined that it is imperative for these folks to do their best to be mindful of these signs not only during the current shelter-in-place restrictions (on Zoom/FaceTime calls and over the phone) but also when folks are able to connect with each other once again, which is when McCarty believes reporting will increase exponentially. 

 

When asked about how she is exercising self-care during this trying time, McCarty shared with me that outside of her standard practice of leaving work at work, she has returned to her love of creating stained glass projects. I was elated to hear that she had an artistic (and beautiful!) outlet of self-care to escape to at home. 

 

We thank you, Ann, for all of the outstanding work you and the North County Rape Crisis Center continues to do in educating and responding to your community in a trauma informed and resiliency focused way.