STOCKTON, Calif. — A Stockton domestic violence services organization held a Day of Remembrance as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event honored the women, children and men lost to domestic violence in San Joaquin County.
An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, stalking or physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
"Most of the time the people that are experiencing domestic violence suffer in silence because there's so much shame, so much secret in what goes on inside the house," said Elizabeth Sanchez, Community Engagement Director for Prevail, the Stockton organization that hosted the event.
Prevail provides crisis intervention and supportive services to people experiencing domestic violence. Their services are confidential and free.
For mother Esmerelda Paz from Lodi, the issue hits close to home. She is a survivor of domestic violence and broke free from her abuser through her faith and help from a domestic violence clinic.
"When I stepped into a domestic violence clinic for the first time, I felt so validated, it was a safe haven. I felt reassured, I felt safe because I was automatically believed and I could put my guard down and relax," she said.
Esmerelda now helps other victims find a safe space and resources as a crisis program specialist for Prevail.
"We want people to know that they're not alone," said Stephanie Player, a program director for Prevail.
The district attorney's office relaunched the San Joaquin County Domestic Violence Task Force in January after it went dormant a few years ago. It brings together law enforcement, government organizations and nonprofits to help survivors of domestic violence.
"If you have someone who you think is going through domestic violence right now, speak to them, encourage them, help them get the help that they need. We are here for them," said Ron Freitas, San Joaquin County District Attorney.
RESOURCES:
Help is available for those in need of assistance.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Their lines are open 24/7.
Prevail in Stockton also has a crisis hotline at (209) 465-4878.
You can find more resources at the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center by clicking HERE.
