Are You In Danger?
If you are in Springfield, ask your pharmacist for a MASK-19. They will call 911 while you “wait” for your order.
Why Mask-19?
Stay in place orders serve the general public and are necessary during this pandemic. But they leave survivors of domestic violence in a very vulnerable and dangerous position, trapped with their abuser. Experts around the world fear a dramatic increase in domestic violence and have called this the “crisis within the pandemic.” Spain and France have initiated a code word for survivors to use to get help, in the one type of business that is open in most areas –the pharmacy.
Harmony House would like to initiate this code word protocol within the Springfield community to assist survivors during the stay in place order and beyond.
How Does It Work?
It’s easy to do and could save a life!
Pharmacies are asked to display the flyer in their women’s restroom and alert all pharmacy personnel of the MASK-19 code word.
Survivors will be encouraged to ask for a “Mask 19” at their local pharmacy if they are in imminent danger. The code word signals the need for help and a request to call 911.
Harmony House will promote MASK-19 on our social media and website to help spread the word. Sample social media posts are included for you to use on your social media if you would like to help us get the word out to survivors.
Mask-19 Resources
The Facts
Domestic violence is…..“a pattern of coercive behaviors, used to gain or maintain power and control over another person with whom the abuser is in an intimate, dating or family relationship.” (source: NCADV)
Domestic Violence is about control and can happen to anyone. The devastating consequences of abuse can cross generations and last a lifetime.
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and does not discriminate based on age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, race, religion or nationality.
- Harmony House is the only domestic violence shelter in Greene County and the largest shelter in the state of Missouri.
- The mission of Harmony House is to provide shelter, advocacy and education to survivors of domestic violence and promote the principle that all individuals have the right to a life free of abuse.
- We have capacity to shelter 168 survivors of domestic violence each night.
- It costs just $35 for each safe bed night provided by Harmony House, including meals, case management and all other services.
- In 2019, Harmony House served nearly 1,000 women, men and children.
- Harmony House is also the largest shelter of children in Greene County.
- For those who do not need shelter services or have moved on from shelter, Harmony House provides an outreach program for survivors.
Program Materials
