Pandemic restrictions and resulting economic harm have led to an increase in domestic violence in Carroll County. There is help available from The Purple Flower, a non-profit organization that provides free domestic violence and sexual assault services including safe housing, counseling and court advocacy.
“We operate using the empowerment model, recognizing that the survivor is the best person to make decisions in her life,” Purple Flower states on its website. “We offer a non-judgmental, non-discriminating safe environment where we welcome survivors as they are.”
Three highly trained professionals work part-time at The Purple Flower including the new director, Michelle Davis, M.A.
“I took over the position at the first of the year,” Davis said. “I have been working in the human services field for more than twenty years. I’m from northeastern Oklahoma, and have been coming to Eureka Springs all my life and always had a vision of living here. I’ve also felt Eureka Springs was a healing place, and being able to give back to the community is a dream come true for me.”
Davis was initially hired as a victims’ advocate and asked to take over the director’s position when the former director and co-founder resigned.
Patty Morris is the lead victims’ advocate, and Purple Flower also hired a new victims’ advocate, former Oregon law enforcement officer Susan Klages.
“Between all of us combined, we have more than seventy years of experience working in social services as advocates for women and children, and other victims,” Davis said.
“When Covid-19 hit hard in March, we were surprised we didn’t see an immediate increase in calls. But we figured out that it was difficult for the people being abused to get away from their abuser. It was unsafe for them to contact or call someone because their abuser was at home. In a sense, they were trapped. Covid was scarier at first. We didn’t know what Covid was, and how dangerous it was. What was the lesser of two evils? Staying home with the abuser or trying to find a safe place to go during a pandemic?”
Now that things have settled a little bit, they are seeing an uptick in the crisis calls.
“This an unprecedented pandemic with stress on so many levels,” Davis said. “It branches out to many facets of everyday life. We are seeing anxiety and financial hardship for a lot of people. Even for those of us with a good support system and coping skills, it is stressful. Imagine those who don’t have a good support system who were already stretched financially. It’s like a pressure cooker that is bound to release somehow. That is why we are seeing a lot more domestic violence cases.”
Another stressor is that kids are home more.
One of the bigger issues is housing for victims; people need a safe place to go. Often women stay with an abuser because of a lack of alternative housing. Donor and volunteer Beth Sammons recently helped The Purple Flower secure an emergency safe house in Carroll County.
“It has been a lifesaver,” Davis said. “It stays full and has only one room. So, we use our own funds to help people get into temporary safe shelter such as a motel. The biggest part of these emergency shelter funds come from generous donors and are vital.”
Covid restrictions have caused a significant backlog in the court system. Court has resumed, but with only a few people inside the courtroom at a time, just the immediate parties and their advocates. There are also court hearings via Zoom conferences. Davis said they are still able to help with legal advocacy and obtaining court protective orders.
The jobs helping people in dangerous situations can be very stressful. Davis said each of them at The Purple Flower has different ways of coping, and different self-care techniques.
“A lot of us have mentors,” she said. “I have a friend who is a counselor I talk to. You still need to breathe. This is an unprecedented pandemic and we are trying to do our best. It is very rewarding when we can help someone. That is what this job is all about. A big part of our mission is helping make sure every human being knows he or she is worthy of love and respect. A lot of times, this world goes against that concept. If we can show some kindness, it makes a big difference.”
Purple Flower was founded in 2012 after the death of a young mother, Laura Aceves, at the hands of a former domestic partner. At that time, there were no services in Carroll County for people fleeing domestic violence.
“Our mission grew out of a response to her death so no one else would be without help in Carroll County,” Davis said.
The Purple Flower office at the address above is opening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Masks are available at the door. The crisis line, (479) 981-1676, is manned 24/7.
The organization got a vital boost from an Arkansas Department of Finance grant that helped pay salaries of the three employees.
“We had to push back some major fundraisers because of Covid, so we are definitely seeking donations,” Davis said. “You can go to our website, thepurpleflower.org/, and click on the Donate Now button to make a donation through PayPal. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 265, Berryville AR 72616.”