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Domestic violence cases increased by 6% over the same period last year, according to Amberly’s Place.
“Perhaps more alarming than the number of cases is the level of violence and significance of the injuries we are seeing,” noted Tori Bourguignon,the agency’s executive director.
Amberly’s Place provided services to 304 primary and secondary victims in October.
Yuma County has had two domestic violence homicides in the last two months. Domestic violence is consistently the highest call for service for Amberly’s Place, a family advocacy center that provides services to victims of child abuse in Yuma County and parts of Imperial County.
In the first nine months of 2023, Amberly’s Place provided services to 2,354 primary and secondary victims, with 1,513 of those being victims of domestic violence. Secondary victims are those who witness and/or are directly impacted by the abuse of the primary victim.
In September, Amberly’s Place provided services to 349 primary and secondary victims. This is the second consecutive month that the center has assisted more than 300 victims.
Gov. Katie Hobbs invited Trevor Umphress (fifth from left), director of development of Amberly’s Place, to the signing of the proclamation of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Oct. 3 on the governor’s executive offices in Phoenix. “As Governor, I will continue to look for ways to protect and support victims of domestic violence and their families, just as I have done throughout my career,” Hobbs stated in a press release. Amberly’s Place is a family advocacy center that helps victims of abuse in Yuma County and parts of Imperial County.
Una conferencia encabezada por Miss San Luis, Melany Enríquez, y un llamado a alzar la voz para denunciar ese problema social marcó el inicio de octubre como el Mes de Concientización sobre la Violencia Doméstica.
The Yuma Police Department has received nearly $10 million in long-awaited federal funding, and Chief Tom Garrity explained how the agency is spending the grants from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
The agency received almost $9.3 million for equipment and supplies used in border security operations and a $500,000 anti-human trafficking grant for supplies and training to be used in collaboration with Amberly’s Place and the Sheriff’s Office.
The department is allowed to use the border security funds for personnel and fringe benefit costs, travel for education and other intelligence training equipment.
Kicking off its annual Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign, Amberly’s Place distributed magnetic purple ribbons and window decals to area law enforcement agencies Friday morning.
Each agency sends a marked patrol unit to receive the magnets and decals for all their vehicles.
“This event is a crucial initiative aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and fostering a supportive community dedicated to its prevention,” noted Trevor Umphress, director of development. “Domestic violence affects countless lives, and together, we can make a difference, together we can stop the cycle of abuse.”
Amberly’s Place Family Advocacy Center has been dealing with a number of child abuse and domestic violence victims, and the summer high temperatures don’t helping.
“Absolutely, the heat is impacting domestic violence and family violence,” said Executive Director Tori Bourguignon. “It’s a huge factor. People are hot and tempers are short. They’re struggling to pay their air conditioning bills. The combination of financial stress and the heat is contributing to all kinds of calls.”
Traditionally, the number of child abuse reports goes up as schools ready for a new year. Things pick up dramatically in July, she said, as the Children’s Justice Project, of which Amberly’s Place is the hub, provides mandated reporter training for teachers on how to recognize signs and symptoms of child abuse and the mandate to report it.
The number of abuse cases in Yuma County have remained steady except for one notable difference, according to the latest statistics released by Amberly’s Place.
The family advocacy center reported a 12% increase in the number of child sexual abuse cases in May when compared to the same time last year, which Executive Director Tori Bourguignon described as a “significant rise.”
“While this trend is disturbing, it also means that these crimes are being reported and the victims and families are getting the help that they need to begin to heal from this type of abuse,” Bourguignon said.
The community came through for Amberly’s Place by supporting Week in Paradise, the agency’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Ticket sales raised $53,000 for the emergency needs of abuse victims in Yuma County.
“Our community is truly amazing,” noted Trevor Umphress, director of development. “Now these funds will be able to further assist us in our mission and ensure those that we serve do not go without.”
Amberly’s Place event “Week in Paradise” was voted as Yuma’s Best Charity Event or Fundraising Project for 2022.
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