Domestic violence rises in Fresno County as coronavirus spreads. Help is still available
Domestic violence calls have increased in Fresno County as coronavirus continues to spread and keep more people at home.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Fresno Police Department have both filed more felony and misdemeanor domestic violence reports.
The sheriff’s office saw the largest spike. It reported filing 77% more domestic violence reports last week compared to the week before (32 reports March 16-22, compared to 18 reports March 9-15, and 18 reports March 2-8).
Fresno police said their domestic violence reports also increased this month, but only slightly. (Fresno police reported 81 domestic violence reports March 2-8, then 79 reports March 9-15, and 89 reports March 16-22).
This is in a place where domestic violence call rates historically have already been among the highest in the state.
Sheriff’s office spokesman Tony Botti said the increased violence now may stem from more stress, depression, fear, and financial uncertainty in the community due to coronavirus.
The city of Fresno’s shelter-in-place order was extended Thursday, set to last until at least April 12.
Along with calling 911 to report abuse, the Marjaree Mason Center – the area’s largest domestic violence shelter and service provider – is a resource for those in need of help in the central San Joaquin Valley.
“We share a strong partnership with the Marjaree Mason Center,” Botti said, “and encourage our residents to utilize their services to try and stop a bad situation from getting worse.”
The Marjaree Mason Center said it received approximately 30% more domestic violence crisis calls a day last week than is normal.
Helping domestic violence victims
Charity Susnick, a spokeswoman for the Marjaree Mason Center, said the center is serving more people now than it did at the same time last year. However, while crisis calls increased, the number of drop-ins coming to the center has remained about the same, she said.
“It is critical for our community to know that our services are available 24/7. … We have increased our staffing in crisis response to ensure that help is available,” Susnick said.
The center has 162 shelter beds, spread between Fresno and Clovis, for adults and their children. Shelter services remain open.
“We have safe housing available for those who need it,” Susnick said.
In-person Marjaree Mason Center groups and classes have been temporarily suspended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many services are now being provided over the phone. The center also provides legal assistance, counseling and education.
“We want individuals to know they are not alone,” Susnick said. “In addition, even though the courts have reduced schedules, domestic violence restraining orders are still being heard.”
How to get help
Susnick said people’s ability to get help becomes more limited when isolated at home, and that survivors are now reaching out to her center in “essentially every way they have available to them.”
Victims of domestic violence can contact the Marjaree Mason Center by calling its hotline, 559-233-4357 (HELP). If it’s unsafe to call, people can email the crisis response team 24/7 at crt@mmcenter.org.
Those experiencing a life-threatening emergency should call 911.
The Marjaree Mason Center said another good resource is the National Domestic Violence Hotline. There is a chat feature on their website, thehotline.org. The national hotline number is 1-800-799-7233, or text LOVEIS to 22522.
A number of other organizations also provide services.
How to support Marjaree Mason Center
The Marjaree Mason Center had to cancel its only annual fundraiser, originally scheduled for Friday.
Susnick said the center usually gets about $300,000 in donations from that fundraiser, which helps fill funding gaps for emergency programs. The center is now looking to fill a deficit of about $600,000 by Sept. 30, when its budget year ends.
The center’s programs are “heavily reliant on private donations,” Susnick said,” as federal or state grant options are more singular focused on permanent housing.”
Donations can be made to the Marjaree Mason Center online at mmcenter.org, or by mail to 1600 M St., Fresno, CA 93721.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 2:54 PM.
