Domestic violence cases up in Stanislaus, but fear has fewer immigrants reporting
A Modesto man accused of stabbing another man multiple times, including in the eyes, is now charged with attempted murder in what prosecutors describe as a domestic violence-related attack. Authorities say the assault was retaliation linked to the suspect’s former girlfriend, who had a restraining order against him.
Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos said the suspect, Cesar Romero-Bermudez, has a long history of domestic violence dating back to 2018, including multiple felony assault convictions against previous partners. At the time of the Turlock stabbing, he was out on bail for a felony domestic violence case involving a different woman.
“This defendant is a prime example of a perpetual domestic violence offender,” Palazuelos said. “He’s been arrested and convicted multiple times, and while out on bail, he committed this brutal attack.”
Palazuelos said the DA’s Office has seen a steady increase in both felony filings and case severity over the past three years. Prosecutors have handled more than 1,300 domestic violence cases so far this year, according to data from the District Attorney’s Office. That’s up from about 1,250 in 2024 and 1,200 in 2023.
“The sheer violence and rage we’re seeing in some of these cases is escalating,” Palazuelos said. “Control is at the heart of domestic violence, and when offenders feel they’re losing that control, they’ll do anything to maintain it — even eliminate anyone they see as a threat.”
Palazuelos said most of the county’s domestic-violence homicides begin with repeated violent offenses. She believes tougher penalties — including making felony domestic battery a “strike” offense under California law — could help deter chronic abusers.
ICE fear keeping some immigrant victims quiet
But while law enforcement and prosecutors focus on accountability, advocates at HAVEN Women’s Center of Stanislaus say many survivors are still too afraid to seek help — especially among immigrant communities.
“We’re hearing an increased fear from immigrant families about reaching out for help,” said May Rico, executive director of HAVEN, which stands for Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments. “People are terrified that going to court for a restraining order or calling the police will somehow put them on the radar for immigration enforcement. Even if ICE isn’t active here, that fear is real — and it’s keeping people in danger.”
Rico said the organization’s crisis line has received more calls from people seeking shelter, but some never arrive. “They’ll call, get screened and approved, and then not show up,” she said. “That tells us the fear is winning out.”
She emphasized that HAVEN is a private, nonprofit organization, not part of law enforcement or county government, and clients’ information is confidential.
“Accessing our services does not put anyone into a government database,” Rico said. “Our shelter residents have the same privacy rights as they would in their own homes.”
Post-pandemic changes
Both Rico and Palazuelos say the county’s rising case numbers may reflect a combination of factors: for some families, worsening violence; for others, greater willingness to report.
“When everyone was locked in during the pandemic, victims couldn’t safely reach out for help,” Rico said. “Now, three years later, we may be seeing more people finally able to report what’s been happening. That’s a good thing, but it also shows how much danger people were in behind closed doors.”
Children and long-term effects
Palazuelos said one of the biggest concerns for prosecutors is the impact of domestic violence on children.
“They’re the silent victims,” she said. “We’ve had cases where children call 911 saying, ‘Dad is hitting Mom again.’ It’s trauma they carry for life.”
HAVEN runs several programs for children who have witnessed abuse or experienced sexual assault, including Kids Count, Teens Count, and Trust. The six- to eight-week programs use age-appropriate group activities to help participants process trauma and learn healthy relationship boundaries. HAVEN also offers prevention presentations in local schools.
Housing is the biggest barrier
Even when victims are ready to leave, finding safe housing remains the toughest challenge.
“We need flexible funding,” Rico said. “Every grant has barriers: income limits, ZIP code restrictions, ID requirements. People fall through the cracks because they don’t fit the criteria.”
She said flexible rental assistance — even small amounts to cover deposits or utilities — could make the difference between escaping an abuser and being forced to return.
Listening to survivors
Rico, who has worked in the field for three decades, said law enforcement has made strides in understanding domestic violence and supporting victims, but she cautions against one-size-fits-all solutions.
“For some survivors, the criminal justice system is their path to safety. For others, it’s not,” she said. “What matters is listening to survivors and helping them find the safest option for them.”
She urged the public to approach potential victims with empathy, not confrontation. “If you suspect someone you know is being abused, say what you saw in a caring way,” she said. “Tell them you’re worried, that you’re here to listen without judgment. Make it an invitation, not an accusation.”
And for anyone living in fear, Rico’s advice is simple: call.
“Call our crisis line,” she said. “Sometimes the first step is just having space to talk it through — to figure out what safety looks like for you.”
If you need help
- Stanislaus County Victim Services: 209-525-5541
- Stanislaus County Family Justice Center: 209-525-5130
- HAVEN 24-Hour Crisis Line: 209-577-5980Business line: 209-524-4331
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
