Yuma, Somerton, San Luis all see more abuse cases in 2017

Amberly’s Place: Domestic violence up 14%, sexual abuse up 46%

Several Yuma County cities experienced increases in reports of abuse in 2017. San Luis had a 36 percent increase over the previous year while Yuma had an increase of 11 percent and Somerton saw a 7 percent increase.

Diane Umphress, executive director of Amberly’s Place, recently released the year-end statistics indicating the number of domestic violence, child and elder abuse and sexual assault handled by the center in 2017.

Amberly’s Place, the only family advocacy center in the county with a crisis team to assist abuse victims, provided services to more than 2,332 victims last year. The number includes secondary victims, those closely affected by the abuse although they might not have been abused directly, such as children who witness a parent being abused.

“Providing services to 2,332 victims of abuse is our highest number in one year since we opened,” Umphress said.

The center reported that the number of child physical abuse cases went up 22 percent while child molestation cases went down overall 18 percent from the previous year.

Domestic violence was up 14 percent and normally goes up each year, Umphress noted.

However, she pointed out, reports of adult sexual abuse were up 46 percent and this started before the national Me Too Campaign against sexual harassment that started in Hollywood and has emboldened victims to come forward with their stories.

The center also documented two Jane Doe cases, which deal with victims whose identities are not known, and conducted 51 forensic exams in 2017.

Although the number of abuse cases increased, it doesn’t necessarily mean more abuse occured, according to Umphress.

“Seeing numbers increase tells us that people are feeling more comfortable and safe reporting abuse,” she said.

The center also experi-

enced hardships last year that made it challenging to stay open. The Victims of Crime Act grant from the U.S. Department of Justice was released four months late. The grant pays for the salaries of staff as well as some of the center’s overhead.

“The only way we were able to keep our doors open and services the same is from the financial planning of our board and the generosity of the community,” Umphress said.

“We rely on grants and fundraising and donations to make ends meet. There really are no words of

thanks for those who donated through their tax credit and other means to us at this time. This community kept our doors and hearts open and going strong.”

Umphress noted the community not only helped 2,332 victims “find hope” but also provided Christmas

for 25 families. “This is a strong united county.”

She explained the holidays were exceptionally busy for the staff at Amberly’s Place. The advocates each selected a few families who would not have had a Christmas due to abuse and worked with local businesses and groups to help supply the families with gifts.

“We helped over 25 families this year, the most we have ever had to assist. Thank goodness for this community and the support they have for each other,” Umphress said.

She recalled that one young boy told the advocate after Christmas, “I knew Santa wouldn’t forget us,” while other children asked for blankets and coats for mom. “When your needs are met often we forget there are those in our community who don’t have that luxury.”

Umphress again expressed her appreciation for the community’s support and “belief in those we serve.”