Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  •  

As Stay-At-Home Order Increases Risk Of Domestic Violence, Resources Remain Available For Victims

  •  Sammy Caiola 
Monday, April 6, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

A salt-water taffy store is closed in Old Sacramento on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

For many domestic violence victims living with their abusers, getting coffee with a friend or grabbing the kids from school can be a needed break. But advocates say with the COVID-19 quarantine orders in place, some victims may be in an untenable situation.

“That freedom is so important, that release valve is so important,” said Nilda Valmores, executive director of My Sister’s House, a Sacramento domestic violence nonprofit. “Everyone talks about isolation, isolation, isolation, and that’s the exact opposite medicine for abuse. To deal with abuse people need to come out of the closet, people need to network and find support, to know that they’re not alone.”

Approximately 40% of California women experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, according to the California Women’s Health Survey, and three quarters of women who’ve been victimized say they had children at home. 

My Sister’s House is one of several nonprofits in the greater Sacramento area that are still working crisis lines and providing remote counseling. Valmores says they saw a 17% uptick in calls this March, compared to last March. Click here for a list of hotlines and other resources.

“We just know that if there are stressed out parties in the house, it’s very possible that explosions of anger are gonna occur, and that means abuse is gonna occur probably more in the physical form,” she said. 

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says there has been a “horrifying surge” in domestic violence globally since COVID-19 lockdown policies took effect. 

A woman died in Mendocino County last week after being attacked by her husband, who had numerous arrests for domestic abuse. 

Democratic Asm. Jim Wood, who serves the area, says this death illustrates the need to reach out to domestic abuse and sexual assault victims during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

“If you know of someone or see someone experiencing or vulnerable to this abuse or assault, please seek advice about how you can help,” said Wood in a statement. “These folks are more vulnerable than ever during this period of isolation and greatly depend on others to protect them.”

Ashley Carnicello, deputy director of an Amador County domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit called Operation Care, said COVID-19 likely exacerbates the feeling of hopelessness that many victims already grapple with.

“And then you add that fact they are isolated and they can’t go out and they can’t go to work, or the abusers can’t go to work so they’re constantly under the same roof with their abuser, and there really is no relief,” she said. 

Carnicello says nonprofit agencies can help domestic violence victims get to a safer location if needed, or guide them through making a get-away plan for when they are ready to leave. She also advises victims to call law enforcement if they are in danger.

Many agencies have text and chat options for victims who are not comfortable making a phone call while an abuser is in the house. Valmores of My Sister’s House says counselors can help victims take steps to protect themselves during the isolation period. 

“If an explosion occurs where they can be the most safe in the house or in the apartment?” she said. “Can you make sure someone calls them and checks on them?”

She recommends friends or family members establish a password with the victim so they have a way to communicate when a situation is escalating.

The California Partnership To End Domestic Violence, a statewide advocacy group, is calling on policymakers to increase funding to domestic violence organizations and create more housing options and financial help for victims in light of COVID-19. 

Here are some resources for Sacramento-area victims and their loved ones:

  • Find a map of California domestic violence organizations such as My Sister’s House, including hotlines and websites, here.
  • Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
  • Contact the California Partnership To End Domestic Violence during business hours for help finding local programs at (916) 444-7163.
  • Access safety planning resources here.
  • Find a guide for friends and loved ones of domestic violence victims and survivors here.
See more tips for protecting domestic violence victims during COVID-19 here.

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

 Coronavirus

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sammy Caiola

Former Healthcare Reporter

Sammy Caiola has been covering medical breakthroughs, fitness fads and health policy in California since 2014. Before joining CapRadio, Sammy was a health reporter at The Sacramento Bee.  Read Full Bio 

 @sammycaiola Email Sammy Caiola

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Health Care Stories

Kate Wolffe / CapRadio

California tribes and mental health professionals look to improve crisis hotline experience for Native Americans

March 23, 2023

Heidi de Marco / KHN

Prescription for housing? California wants Medicaid to cover 6 months of rent

March 22, 2023

Most Viewed

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

California coronavirus updates: Americans' life expectancy has dropped to 76 years, second time in a row since pandemic

Cooking with gas — or electricity? Californians wonder how electrification might impact the food we eat

Assembly approves oil profit penalty bill, sending it to Newsom

Another atmospheric river brings more rain, wind and snow to Northern California

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

California coronavirus updates: Americans' life expectancy has dropped to 76 years, second time in a row since pandemic

Cooking with gas — or electricity? Californians wonder how electrification might impact the food we eat

Assembly approves oil profit penalty bill, sending it to Newsom

Another atmospheric river brings more rain, wind and snow to Northern California

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.