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Domestic violence cases on the riseFree Access

FORGING AN ALLIANCE


Katy Wardle

Katy Wardle

Since the onset of Covid-19, Mountain Crisis Services (MCS) has seen a huge influx of domestic violence victims needing services now more than ever.

We have had a rise in restraining order requests, emergency shelter needs, peer counseling and other resource needs. This increase is due to vulnerable people being isolated in their homes with no way of leaving, while encountering a harmful person. The circumstances presented by the pandemic further complicates seeking resolution. MCS is working diligently — reaching out to these vulnerable communities and assisting them as best as possible.

Since this phenomenon began, awareness months have been overshadowed by this never-ending pandemic. However, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is coming up in October and we are not going to pass up the opportunity to continue to educate and reach out to populations that may be going through such heinous crimes.

As a Mountain Crisis Services program specialist, I have had to become very creative in how MCS provides events that increase community awareness. For the month of October, we will have a “Domestic Violence Panel Discussion” that will include very important community members that will be announced soon. This panel discussion will be focused on Domestic Violence in our rural community.

The panel discussion will take place on Oct. 22nd at 6 p.m. on Mountain Crisis Services Facebook page. MCS is urging community members to join in the panel discussion to learn more about domestic violence and see how our community agencies respond.

Be on the lookout for another Gazette article as our program director and the managing director from Miwumati, Clay River, are collaborating on a special piece. This piece will be discussing the Native American Community and how domestic violence is not a tradition within Native American cultures. It will be out in sometime in October.

Every year, MCS seeks community participation in the Clothesline Project. The Clothesline Project began in 1990 in honor of women who were murdered by their abusers. The idea of this event is to empower victims to share their stories artistically on a T-shirt.

Due to COVID restrictions, T-shirts made by survivors will be displayed only at our office to bring awareness of domestic violence. However, if you are a survivor or know of someone who is, please stop by the office and visit with me. MCS will be more than happy to give you a shirt to create on your own and display it at our office.

Additionally, Mountain Crisis Services has moved. Our new address is 5075 Hwy 140 Suite C in Mariposa. We encourage the community to stop by during the month of October and pick up a purple ribbon, button, and/or a tie dye mask to show your support for domestic violence victims. We ask the community to follow our Facebook page “Mountain Crisis Services” for updates, videos, and fun activities we may have during the month of October.

Here at Mountain Crisis Services, we understand the hardships that are developing from this pandemic. Know that you are not alone and there are advocates available to support you.

If domestic violence has affected you, or anyone you may know, we encourage everyone to step through our doors and speak to one of our advocates about the free and confidential services we provide. Mountain Crisis Services works 24/7. You can call anytime at (209) 966-2350 for support.

We hope to see our community continue to join us in the fight against domestic violence.

Katy Wardle is a program specialist for Mountain Crisis Service.

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