Recent violent crime highlights domestic attacks in the Coachella Valley

KESQ and CBS Local 2 are looking into two separate violent crimes that occurred in the Coachella Valley over the weekend; one began as an assault on a woman and eventually led to a deadly officer-involved shooting in the unincorporated area of Desert Edge, and the other ended with a woman’s murder following an arson investigation in Thermal.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by partners every minute.

The overnight manager for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio, Martina Ochoa, told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS local 2’s Katie Widner about some of the injuries she has seen taking in battered women.

“Two black eyes, busted lip, broken ribs, hand shattered, fractures in the legs,” Ochoa listed.

The Mission is currently housing 56 women and 22 children who can stay there for up to a year.

“We have approximately 98% of our women that come in here with some sort of domestic violence whether they come out straight from a bad relationship or, they’ve had it in their past,” explained Chris Dentine, the women’s program manager.

The shelter also works with a safe house for women, one of many hidden across the Coachella Valley.

“When it comes to domestic violence it can escalate to somebody losing life. It really can,” said Dentine. “If anyone out there struggling with domestic violence, they can call. We will help you. Will get you out of the area nobody will have to know where you are.”

The facility offers security, anonymity, food and other resources.

“Our doors are open 24 hours so whenever they feel they get the chance to run, there’s always someone here to take them in,” Ochoa added.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is located at 47470 Van Buren Street in Indio. You can call the organization at 760 347-3512, Ex. 242, or call its intake line at 760-851-2167.

The organization also has connections to other shelters and additional resources:

Check out Shelter from the Storm’s website to read all about the services being offered for local victims of domestic violence National Coalition Against Domestic Violence You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE