By Khalida Sarwari
More than 30 agencies and community organizations in Santa Clara County are participating in a domestic violence workshop in Campbell tonight to offer guidance to victims and their families.
The Domestic Violence Information and Resources Collaborative Workshop, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Campbell Community Center, is a one-stop resource fair for everyone who has been affected by domestic violence in some way, from young teens to seniors.
Carla Collins, a policy analyst in the county Office of Women’s Policy, pointed out that domestic violence affects people of all ethnic, racial and educational backgrounds.
“It’s something that hits everyone, unfortunately,” Collins said.
Tonight, information will be given out on around-the-clock crisis hotlines, housing and emergency shelters, immigration services, legal assistance, mental health and substance abuse counseling and LGBTQ resources.
“There are organizations in the community that can give you support to help you assess your situation,” Collins said. “Or if someone you know, a friend or co-worker, or daughter or son who’s in a relationship, you can get information for them.”
Participants will learn how to navigate the court system and how to obtain legal assistance and protection.
Representatives from the district attorney’s office will be on hand, as will domestic and legal advocates and judges who work on domestic violence cases.
Last year, 11 domestic violence-related deaths were reported in Santa Clara County.
In one of the more recent cases, San Jose resident Shon Box allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend, Miriam Olivo, before shooting himself at an East San Jose townhouse on May 19. Police said Box, 40, and Olivo, 30, had dated briefly and Olivo had told Box she wanted a break from the relationship about a week prior to the shooting.
Several other recent Bay Area deaths also stemmed from domestic violence.
On Sunday morning in Fremont, police fatally shot 30-year-old Juan Mosso, of Newark, after he allegedly confronted them with a large knife at a Fremont apartment. Police had been responding to reports that Mosso was threatening to kill his estranged wife. The woman suffered only minor injuries.
Last Thursday morning, an Antioch couple, Robert and Linda Ellingson, both 45, were found dead in the master bedroom of their home in an apparent murder-suicide. Police learned that the couple had been having marital and financial problems and believe Robert Ellingson shot his wife then killed himself.
In Castro Valley on June 6, Taquan Maldonado, 35, was arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his 26-year-old girlfriend in her home the previous day. Alameda County sheriff’s deputies had been called to the home numerous times for domestic violence and other disturbances.
Collins said there are a number of warning signs that a relationship may turn abusive. Most cases begin with subtle emotional and verbal abuse, she said. In many cases, one partner tries to isolate the other and keep them away from friends and family, she said.
The San Mateo County organization Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, or CORA, warns to watch out for partners who are extremely jealous or possessive, accuse the other of cheating or go through their partner’s e-mails or cell phones.
Collins said abusers are sometimes controlling with finances, or belittle or make fun of the other person. Some threaten to harm their significant other’s children, pets, family members, friends, or even themselves.
In Santa Clara County, victims of domestic violence are encouraged to call a confidential advocate for help at (800) 799-SAFE (7233).
The Campbell Community Resource Center is located at 1 W. Campbell Ave.