Victim of domestic abuse speaks out, shares local resources available
The Riverside County Family Justice Center received over 25,000 domestic abuse calls in 2017 alone.
Rachel Whitten, a survivor of domestic abuse herself, sought help from the Family Justice Center after her boyfriend of three years physically assaulted her.
“I really wish I had spoke up sooner…and I wish I would have stuck with it sooner because it was such a nightmare for me. I remember standing in the kitchen of his house many times thinking I wasn’t going to make it out of there …and there were two calls to 911 the night he attacked me and had they not called…I don’t think I would have made it out,” said Whitten.
Rachel’s advice for anyone in an abusive relationship: “Try to document things…if you get injured take pictures and save them forward them to someone you trust so they don’t get erased have someone that you really do trust and talk to them,” she said.
The Family Justice Center partners with several organizations locally to provide comprehensive care for victims of abuse.
“It’s severely severely underreported. What victims need to be aware of is there are resources out there. There are people to stand behind you. And you don’t need to be afraid. You need to come out there are things that we can do and things that we can help you with to get you through this process,” said Elizabeth Zamora, who works at the Center.
Shelter from the Storm is another organization that partners with the Family Justice Center, providing free counseling services, a 24-hour hotline for victims, and a shelter for victims in danger.
To get in contact with the Family Justice Center click here. If you need emergency assistance, call “Shelter from the Storm’s” Emergency 24-hour hotline: (760) 328-7233.
Watch CBS Local 2 at 5:30p.m. and News Channel 3 at 6p.m. to hear Whitten’s full story, the warnings signs for domestic abuse and the resources available locally for victims.
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