Domestic violence is on the rise in Stanislaus County. ‘It affects everybody’
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women and one in seven men will experience physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives. In Stanislaus County, almost 3,000 domestic violence calls were made in 2023.
With October designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos aims to raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence on the community, which she said can affect nearly anyone.
“There’s nurses that we’re prosecuting, there’s firefighters … law enforcement officers, so it affects everybody, all areas of the community,” she said.
Last year, Stanislaus County received 2,748 calls for assistance related to domestic violence, according to the California Department of Justice. About 45% of these cases involved a weapon, including the use of hands or feet, while 8.5% involved strangulation or suffocation.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office saw a 21% rise in arrests related to domestic violence between January and September of this year compared the same period last year, while the Modesto Police Department reported a 17% increase.
Typically, the District Attorney’s Office rejects 50% or more of the cases it receives because the prosecutors must ensure they can prove each case beyond a reasonable doubt; otherwise, it becomes a matter of he said, she said. Most cases are resolved through plea deals.
Palazuelos is especially concerned about how domestic violence affects children. Her office has worked closely with law enforcement to train officers on how to interact with and interview children who witness domestic violence.
In such cases, her office files charges of child neglect or abuse when a child is present during an attack, noting the severe impact this can have on a child’s brain development.
“When they see two people who they love the most fighting, their brain goes into fight or flight,” she said.
Domestic violence cases often hinge on whether the victim can testify, but Palazuelos noted that 70%-80% of victims in Stanislaus County are unable to do so for various reasons. Many victims are financially dependent on their partner, or they may still love them and not want them to get in trouble. Others are simply afraid of what might happen if they do speak.
Even if a victim decides not to testify or attempts to protect the defendant in court, Palazuelos explained that the judge and jury often have a clear understanding of the situation. They recognize that the victim may be lying to stay safe.
Palazuelos said her office frequently pursues evidence-based prosecution, even when victims want the charges dropped. In these situations, she reassures victims that they aren’t the ones getting their partner in trouble — it’s her office that is.
“It’s a sense of relief for them, because they’re like, ‘Okay, I have somebody who’s gonna be standing up for what happened that was wrong, and it’s not me.’”
If someone is experiencing domestic violence, Palazuelos recommends that they inform law enforcement about any prior incidents or provide any relevant photos. Even if they aren’t ready to file a report, keeping a journal of any physical, emotional, financial or sexual abuse they endure can help. Additionally, sending photos or communicating with a friend can help create a documented history of the abuse.
Breaking the cycle
The most frequent factor Palazuelos has observed is substance abuse, which often escalates the severity of the violence inflicted.
Her office focuses on addressing the root of the problem, such as referring individuals with alcohol abuse issues to treatment programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or alcohol education classes. They also offer anger management and in some cases, completing these classes may result in charges being dropped.
“Unfortunately, some people need the reality check of criminal charges in order to get the substance abuse help or anger management help that they need,” Palazuelos said.
She has seen people in court who, after completing these classes, tell the judge how the programs helped them recognize how their behavior impacts their lives and those around them. Many of them end up sober and are able to rebuild their families.
While some individuals need to be incarcerated because they have no remorse for violence, others are struggling with substance abuse or have been trapped in a cycle of domestic violence and simply don’t know any better, she said.
The goal, Palazuelos said, isn’t to imprison people but to protect vulnerable victims in the community. She’s hopeful that the diversion classes can stop the cycle of violence.
In 2020, domestic violence calls in the county reached a peak of 3,283. Palazuelos said that during the pandemic, there was an increase in these calls due to the immense stress people were under. Additionally, cases often surge during the holiday season when individuals are spending more time at home together and may be consuming more alcohol.
Recent homicides
In the past six months alone, about half a dozen women have been killed in Stanislaus County.
In June, a Modesto man was charged with the attempted murder of his girlfriend after he allegedly struck her with a brick and then shot her in the head during an argument. A month later, a domestic violence call to 911 resulted in an apparent murder-suicide in Salida.
“It’s really tragic,” Palazuelos said.
While cases resulting in the suspect’s death, such as murder-suicides, aren’t prosecuted, she hopes they won’t be overlooked.
Resources
Although Stanislaus County has resources available, Palazuelos believes the county needs more mental health services. Many individuals face challenges accessing support for depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, particularly those without great insurance coverage.
There are both law enforcement and non-law enforcement resources available in the county:
The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus provides services to victims of:
Domestic violence
Sexual Assault
Child Abuse
Elder Abuse
Human Trafficking
Services the District Attorney’s Office provides are:
Navigation/Case Management
Crisis intervention
Counseling
Legal Assistance (restraining orders, child custody, & divorce)
Youth Programs
Other agencies/organizations that the District Attorney’s office works with:
CAIRE Center (Child Advocacy Center)
District Attorney’s Victim Service Unit (VSU) and Child Abduction Unit (CAU)
Sheriff’s Office
To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 800-799-7233 or go to www.thehotline.org.
This story was originally published October 18, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
