News

Sep

2023

Law enforcement sports purple ribbons to raise domestic violence awareness.

Kicking off its annual Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign, Amberly’s Place distributed magnetic purple ribbons and window decals to area law enforcement agencies Friday morning.

Each agency sends a marked patrol unit to receive the magnets and decals for all their vehicles.

“This event is a crucial initiative aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and fostering a supportive community dedicated to its prevention,” noted Trevor Umphress, director of development. “Domestic violence affects countless lives, and together, we can make a difference, together we can stop the cycle of abuse.”

Amberly’s Place, a family advocacy center provides services to victims of child abuse in Yuma County and parts of Imperial County, called on all law enforcement agencies from across Yuma County to join in raising awareness and showing support for survivors.

“Let’s unite as a community to send a powerful message that domestic violence has no place in our homes or our hearts. By displaying these purple magnets, we stand together as a symbol of hope and support,” Umphress said.

This year, the following agencies participated in the event: Yuma Police Department, YPD Motorcycle Squad, San Luis Police Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, Somerton Police Department, Wellton Police Department, Cocopah Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Quechan Police Department and Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Tori Bourguignon, executive director at Amberly’s Place, noted that “it is time, once again, to light Yuma County purple in an effort to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence in our community.”

The community is already standing behind Amberly’s Place. Several of the local municipalities will be reading proclamations at council meetings. Facebook live forums, awareness walks in Somerton and San Luis and other outreach events and a host of other community activities are slated for October.

The Wellton Police Department started off a little early by hosting a benefit golf tournament Sept. 23 at Coyote Wash Golf Course. The proceeds benefited Amberly’s Place.

In Yuma County, the advocacy center provided services to 340 primary and secondary victims in the month of August, the latest statistics released. Secondary victims are those who witness and/or are directly impacted by the abuse of the primary victim.

“We have been extremely busy with the start of the new school year,” Bourguignon noted.

Specifically, Amberly’s Place helped 116 domestic violence victims in August, an increase of 30% from the same time period last year, and 105 secondary victims, an increase of 53% over last year.

To talk to a crisis advocate, call the 24-hour helpline: 928-373-0849. For more information on spotting the signs of abuse, go to www.AmberlysPlace.com.

ABUSE STATISTICS

FOR AUGUST

Primary victims: 171

Secondary victims: 169

TOTAL: 340

BY AGENCY

Yuma Police: 112

Yuma County Sheriff’s Office: 65

Somerton Police: 13

San Luis Police: 15

Other agencies: 0

Walk-ins: 75