Domestic violence is on the rise in Sacramento. How to spot it and where to go for help

In the Sacramento region, domestic violence incidents have increased both in numbers and in intensity.

According to authorities, homicides increased from two incidents in 2019, to eight incidents in 2020. The region has also seen a rise in attempted strangulations by 58%, which increases the likelihood that abuse in a relationship will one day turn lethal.

Being informed about domestic violence, recognizing the signs and having the proper resources can be the lifeline to save someone in an abusive relationship.

In an interview with WEAVE’s Chief Program Officer Jaime Gerigk, The Sacramento Bee asked how to identify physical and sexual abuse, understand financial and technological abuse, and how to find critical resources in the region.

WEAVE is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. Their mission is to promote safe and healthy relationships and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking.

Learn more about WEAVE and their mission at their website

https://www.weaveinc.org.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a pattern of behavior used by one partner to maintain power and control over the other partner in an intimate relationship.

Domestic violence does not discriminate. It can be present in different types of relationships. It’s not limited to specific genders, races, sexual orientations, cultures or socioeconomic groups.

When thinking about domestic violence, a lot of people associate those words with physical altercations, but that’s not always the case.

There are six types of abuse and all may or may not be present in an abusive relationship.

1. Physical Abuse

2. Emotional Abuse

3. Sexual Abuse

4. Financial Abuse

5. Spiritual Abuse

6. Technological Abuse

Breaking down domestic violence

1. Physical Abuse

The use of physical force against another person in a way that ends up injuring the person, or puts the person at risk of being injured.

Some examples of physical violence are:

• Holding you down

• Putting you in a dangerous position such as driving recklessly

• Blocking you from leaving

• Destroying your property to scare you

• Slapping, pushing, hitting, kicking, biting and pulling hair

• Withholding medication or food

• Stalking

• Threatening with weapons

• Shaking

• Strangulation

2. Emotional Abuse

Physical abuse is not always present in an abusive relationship. An abusive partner can use emotional manipulation to maintain power and control over their partner.

This can be done by:

• Calling you names

• Extreme jealousy

• Playing mind games

• Gaslighting

• Humiliation in public or private

• Blaming you for the abuse

• Isolating you from your friends, family and activities you enjoy

• Threats to harm themselves or you if you leave

3. Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is often linked to physical abuse; they may occur together, or the sexual abuse may occur after a bout of physical abuse

This can show itself through:

• Any unwanted sexual activity

• Pressuring you to have sex and there are consequences if you don’t

• Forced pornography - Taking pics or video and threatening to use against you and post to social media

• Contraceptive manipulation

• Forced pregnancy or abortion

• Rape

4. Financial Abuse

When one partner has control over the other partner’s access to economic resources, which diminishes the victim’s capacity to support themselves, this can be considered a form of domestic violence.

Some examples of financial abuse are:

• Denying you access to money

• Controls passwords to financial accounts or forces you to give them yours

• Controls who is on the financial accounts

• Destroys your credit, destroys your property

• Constant texting or harassment at work

• Forcing or forbidding work or college

• Constant monitoring of spending

5. Spiritual Abuse

Anything that comes in the way of you practicing your faith or feeling good about yourself.

The most common behaviors of this are:

• Not allowing your religious or cultural practices

• Forces you to do things against your beliefs

• Not allowing time for yourself or activities you enjoy

• Uses religion to justify abuse

• Does not allow you to go to places of worship

6. Technological Abuse

The use of technologies such as texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behavior is a form of verbal or emotional abuse perpetrated online.

Other examples of technological abuse include:

• Controlling your passwords and accounts

• GPS tracking to monitor your whereabouts

• Posting or threatening to post on social media

• Threatening to spread rumors on social media

• Destroying your tech items

• Stalking you with technology

Where to go for help

If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship, here’s where you can find help:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.

• WEAVE | All of WEAVE’s services can be accessed by calling the Support and Information Line at (916) 920-2952. WEAVE’s 24-Hour Support and Information Line offers immediate intervention and support by trained peer counselors. Help is available in over 23 languages.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential assistance to anyone affected by domestic violence through a live chat and a free 24-hour hotline: 800-799-7233.

• My Sisters House | 24-Hour Helpline: (916) 428-3271

You can also talk to their advocates in person at their remote offices:

Wednesday 1-5 p.m. at Yolo County Children’s Alliance (637 Todhunter Ave, West Sacramento)

Wednesday 1-3:30 p.m. at the Family Justice Center (3701 Power Inn Rd. Sacramento)

Friday 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Family Justice Center (3701 Power Inn Rd. Sacramento)

This story was originally published April 29, 2021 at 5:00 AM.