Hurricane Helene has done many things: destroy buildings, animal shelters, houses and even reshape the landscape. Many people have been left without a place to call home, and relief efforts have been springing up to combat the loss of food, water and shelter. But that’s not all the hurricane has done.

The increase in victims who have been affected by domestic abuse is also a hidden effect of the hurricane. When the hurricane began closing in on homes, abuse victims fled with possibly the only opportunity they had to escape from their abuser. But after homes were destroyed, victims had nowhere else to go but back to the abuser in order to stay safe from the storm.

Freshman Nelia Roberge said, “I wish there was more we could do for the victims, especially for the victims that have never had a chance to leave or be freed from their attacker.”

In small communities ravaged by Hurricane Helene, many victims can end up in the same shelter as their abuser. Because there are not many relief programs dedicated to domestic violence in places destroyed by Hurricane Helene, it is most likely many victims of domestic abuse will end up back with their abuser.

Freshman Haily Johnson said, “Domestic abuse is not something to look away from and should definitely be paid more attention to and not be put to the side for someone else’s problem.”

There are only about 17 domestic violence programs in North Carolina and the increase in victims after Hurricane Helene will only grow. Donating money to the relief effort www.nccadv.org/donate can boost the amount of care given to these survivors and even save many more.