Student helps domestic violence victims during pandemic

Psychology student Cindy Cartagena is fighting for those who may be trapped in their homes with an abusive partner during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cartagena is a court support advocate at Victim Response Inc. The Lodge, one of only three certified domestic violence shelters in Miami. She helps coordinate outreach services for survivors including legal representation, mental health counseling and other basic needs.

As an advocate, Cartagena received training and tips to help victims who are trying to escape a dangerous situation. To better assist with cases during the pandemic, the staff at The Lodge received a list of things to look out for that an abuser may be manipulating during the coronavirus situation, including:

• Withholding necessary items including hand sanitizer or disinfectants
• Sharing misinformation about the pandemic to control or frighten their partner
• Withholding insurance cards or threatening to cancel insurance
• Preventing their partner from seeking medical attention if they have symptoms

Cartagena wants victims to know that help is available — even in isolation.

“We are still accepting participants to the shelter while applying the necessary safety measures during intakes upon acceptance to the shelter,” Cartagena said. “We have implemented further safety measures for our residents with regards to COVID-19. We have also reviewed tactics abusers may be using against their victims related to COVID-19.”

The shelter operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and in need of assistance, call The Lodge 24-hour-crisis line at 305-693-0232. Additional contact information can be found here.

Cartagena is a research assistant at the Power, Women and Relationships Lab (PWR Lab) in FIU’s Department of Psychology. Her interests include mental health, law and non-profit leadership in serving survivors of intimate partner and gender-based violence. Under the guidance of psychologist Asia Eaton, researchers at the PWR Lab focus on social psychological research, specifically on the interaction between gender and social power.