Domestic violence on the rise in Yuma

There has been a decrease in domestic violence reports statewide, but in Yuma County Amberly’s Place has seen an increase in the past year. The family advocacy center received 74 cases of domestic violence abuse back in April, that number has more than doubled for the month of May when they received 170 cases for domestic violence abuse.

According to data received from Arizona Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, there were 90 homicides last year related to domestic violence, 18 of those victims were under the age of 18 and 14 of them were children.

Executive Director of Amberly’s Place, Diane Umphress said that it’s important to look at the signs of sexual assault or domestic violence.

“You will start to see someone that is an outgoing person starts to become introverted, maybe pulling away from friendships. Having bruises and not being able to explain why they will tell you oh I ran into the doorknob,” said Umphress.

Umphress also said that the signs of a young victim are no different.

“With children, you’ll start to see them withdrawal too when people walk through the door and that’s usually when it’s the abuser. They are scared to death and start wetting the bed, having nightmares because the abuser will tell them if you tell anybody, they’re not going to believe you or I’m going to say you’ve lied and you’re going to go to jail,” said Umpress.

Amberly’s Place will be holding a presentation on how to help those who have been victimized at the Yuma Main Library on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. It’s open to the public.