Give Apply Info

Request Information

You need a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll in Adler University programs.

Okay

Addressing the Rising Risk of Domestic Abuse

Stories | 05.19.20

Danielle Kokochak, an Online Campus Master of Arts in Psychology student, is designing a resource to address the rising risk of domestic abuse during the pandemic. Her team’s prototype solution won the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) COVID-19 Challenge—and now they are bringing it to life.

Studies have found that catastrophic events, financial strain, and increased time with family, can all lead to a rise in domestic abuse cases. Though staying home helps keep people safe from the virus, it can cause “tensions to run high and things might happen that were just bubbling under the surface before,” Kokochak said.

Her team’s website will help users understand whether they are experiencing domestic violence, domestic abuse, or another type of unhealthy relationship. The site will provide survivors with a safe place to disclose and understand their experience, begin making a safety plan, and reduce barriers to connecting with a service provider who can support them.

“Though I am in quarantine, I have appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with people across the country and create something together that addresses a really pertinent social issue,” Kokochak said.

 

Meet Denise Dailey, a Chicago Campus student who is helping veterans in transitional housing on Chicago’s West Side stay connected through telehealth services.

Related Stories

Adler graduate reflects on her thesis journey, exploring the experiences of Black transracial adoptees

The research explores the experiences of Black children who are adopted by white parents. Through interviews, the thesis examines how these adoptees — now adults — encountered more subtle forms of discrimination and how it affected their sense of identity and well-being.

Learn More

Justice Reimagined: Exploring the experiences and wisdom of Indigenous police officers

Aptly called “Justice Reimagined: The Power of Indigenous Wisdom in Law Enforcement,” the panel discussion focused on integrating Indigenous knowledge and understanding into contemporary policing and justice systems.

Learn More

Disability Lead selects Adler’s Christena Gunther as 2025 Institute Fellow

Throughout the fellowship, participants will engage in six full-day intensive sessions and standalone networking events that offer a rich tapestry of learning and collaboration opportunities centered on uplifting disability power and influencing and activating change.

Learn More