In an effort to protect staff and clients, executives at FEARLESS! Hudson Valley, a non-profit that works with victims of domestic violence, has halted walk-in visits to its offices and in-person meetings.

"We moved, actually, pretty quickly from yesterday to moving predominantly 80% of our nonresidential program, remotely. And so, staff are staffing the hotline and providing the services that we've provided Crisis Counseling support, therapeutic sessions, as well as information and referrals," says FEARLESS! Hudson Valley Executive Director Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1-in-3 women and more than 1-in-4 men in the U.S. have been victims of violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. The U.S. Department of Justice reports nearly 9 out of 10 incidents of family violence occur in or near the home.

"We’re just worried that potentially the violence can increase,” said Kostyal-Larrier. “You're worried that given the taxing on the medical professionals as well as the law enforcement professionals that there are going to be things that there are consequences to that."

The organization has staffed a 24 hour hotline available for individuals to call where they can speak with an advocate and find support or help.

"If you just want to talk or even if you just want to sit on the phone quietly or if you know someone that's also experiencing abuse and you're trying to navigate how to support them, we're here for you as well," said Kostyal-Larrier

Advocates will continue to provide in person court accompaniment for families and victims to assist them in court proceedings.

“Many people don't know that they don't know that we run a 24 hour operation,” said Kostyal-Larrier, “This isn't a business this is about working within people's lives when it's sometimes the most dangerous time of their life."

FEARLESS! officials say that essential plans and efforts will continue as usual. If a victim has to be saved from an abusive situation they will work to get them to safety. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence call the FEARLESS! hotline at 845-562-5340.