Experts on domestic violence cases urged those who may be going through an abusive situation to reach out for help following an apparent deadly domestic violence situation on Saturday.
San Diego Chief of Police David Nisleit addressed San Diego's domestic violence cases, saying the San Diego region sees at least 50 domestic violence calls every day and stressed reaching out for help is key.
After filing a public records request for all San Diego Police calls regarding domestic violence, NBC 7 Investigates found about 20 calls made each day and more than 72,000 calls each year, just in the city.
Over the last five years, the city saw a decrease in domestic violence related 911 calls and from 2018 to 2019 through October there was a 9.7 percent decrease.
NBC 7 reached out to a domestic violence victim advocate who spoke about the difficult separation process and subsequent resources available to those who need support for themselves and their children.
Jessica Yaffa is a survivor of domestic violence and provides help and resources as the outgoing president of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council.
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One in three women are victims of domestic violence, Yaffa told NBC 7, and one in four are physically abused. When the mother is in danger, the children are also in danger most of the time, she added.
“When a person is leaving or fleeing a domestically violent relationship, it is the most dangerous time for him or her, whether that’s attached to the recent filing of a restraining order, preparing to leave, recently having left, we want to ensure the community is aware of that danger,” Yaffa told NBC 7.
Yaffa said being aware of the danger is not meant to deter someone from leaving, but to make sure the person’s community can support them and their children.
Sabrina Rosario and her husband were no longer living in the same home, she had filed for divorce, and filed for a restraining order. Her separated husband shot and killed Rosario and three of their four young children Saturday, leaving the fourth child in critical condition.
“She really had dotted her i’s and crossed her t’s,” Yaffa said.
Whichever stage someone is in when leaving an abusive relationship, Yaffa said, it’s important to think about possibly staying at a different home for a period of time, whether that’s a friend or a short-term shelter.
“I know what it feels like, first-hand, to walk this journey alone and to be full of fear as well as shame, guilt, judgment,” Yaffa added.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, there are local and national organizations ready to help:
San Diego Domestic Violence Council
San Diego Police Department Victim Resources
CA Attorney General's Victims’ Services Unit
National Domestic Violence Hotline, or call 1−800−799−7233
