News

Jan

2024

Agency serves greatest number of abuse victims in 2023.

Amberly’s Place served the greatest number of victims ever in 2023, with the agency’s year-end statistics showing significant increases in adult sexual assault and child physical abuse.

The family advocacy center, a nonprofit organization that provides services to victims of abuse in Yuma County and parts of Imperial County, serves about 3,309 primary and secondary victims every year.

Primary victims are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse, both physical and sexual, and human sex trafficking.

Secondary victims are those who witness and/or are directly impacted by the abuse of the primary victim.

“It is important to understand that abuse and trauma impact not only the primary victims in the case but also those closest to the victim. These secondary victims also receive crisis intervention and all the services necessary to stabilize the support system for the victims,” noted Tori Bourguignon, executive director.

“Healing and recovery are often predicated on addressing the emergent and ongoing needs of both primary and secondary victims,” she noted.

The 2023 data indicates a 27% increase in child physical abuse cases and a 17% increase in adult sexual assault over the previous year. Additionally, the agency saw a 25% increase in the total number of new cases.

Bourguignon thanked the community for its support. “We are truly honored and privileged to do this work. We could not do what we do without the support of our community. This past year, we provided Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and gifts to over 50 families. The donations and support from our community made that possible,” she said. “On behalf of our team, I want to thank you for your continued support. It is needed now more than ever.”

Bourguignon added: “We look forward to continuing to serve our communities alongside all our multidisciplinary team partners. We are grateful for each agency, and hope 2024 provides us with many opportunities to strengthen and fortify the collaboration and continue growing and improving our services.”

The center has a response team that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To talk to a crisis advocate, call the 24-hour helpline: 928-373-0849.

Amberly’s Place, a 501C3 charitable organization, relies on donations to cover victims’ non-emergency expenses, such as changing locks and replacing broken glasses. Arizona allows taxpayers to support nonprofit organizations with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. Supporters can donate up to $421 as a single taxpayer or $842 if they are married and filing jointly. They can do so until April 15 and use this credit toward their 2023 taxes. For additional information, check out www.amberlysplace.com.