Domestic Violence Resources – Golden Gate Xpress

According to San Francisco State University, there have been 21 reports of domestic violence and 14 reports of rape on the university’s main campus between 2021 and 2023. San Francisco State Annual Safety Report. According to police, three rape incidents have been reported on campus in the past month. SFSU Daily Crime and Fire Log.

This news may draw attention to a recent loss that SFSU mourned, namely the death of Zoe Nika Reidy-Wattsa 25-year-old Liberal and Creative Arts student, in March. Reidy-Watts’ boyfriend, Victor Tyrone Freison III, was charged with murder and domestic violence.

However, this is not an isolated case within the SFSU community.

Jose Dejesus Rodriguez was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Valeria Villagomez, a 21-year-old SFSU student, a press release from the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office on September 13.

“The murder of Valeria Villagomez is a tragic reminder of the urgent need to address domestic violence,” San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Leigh Frazier said in a news release.

What is meant by domestic violence?

Domestic violence is the threat of violence or active violence within a home. It usually involves abusive behavior toward a spouse or partner.

It can be physical, psychological, sexual, technological, economic or verbal abuse. The person experiencing the abuse may feel intimidated, humiliated, isolated, threatened, manipulated or hurt, depending on the US Office on Violence Against Women.

How do you recognize domestic violence?

Anna Titus, Title IX Coordinator at SFSU, has worked for eight years as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and in domestic violence shelters, where she responded to the hotline.

Titus said domestic violence has important warning signs:

• Controlling behavior of a partner regarding communication and interactions with friends and family
• Monitoring or oversight by a partner, usually done through technology
• Any threat of violence that could occur at any time
• Visible signs of physical abuse

“Any form of controlling behavior in your relationships can be a warning sign that they are trying to isolate you from your support system to keep you from getting out of the situation,” Titus says.

How can SFSU students experiencing domestic violence get help?

Associated Students Women’s Center

The Associated Students Women’s Center at SFSU is located on the third floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Center in room T-116. It provides a safe space for those dealing with domestic and sexual abuse.

“A lot of people who are in a situation where they need support can’t even go on their home computer and look up ‘domestic violence resources near me’ because that’s not an option,” said Madeline Cox, assistant director of the Women’s Center. “Someone is probably watching them, so we’re that middleman.”

The Women’s Center also offers free pregnancy testing, organic menstrual products, and Plan B for women on campus. It is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Women’s Center staff is not professionally trained to handle domestic violence cases. However, they are willing to refer people to resources on and off campus.

Black women in revolt

Cox said Black women in revolt is a referral they often have to make for their clients.

According to the National Domestic Violence HelplineThe black community experiences higher rates of domestic violence than other communities

Black Women Revolt is an off-campus organization that provides services such as case management, domestic violence education, legal services, youth services, emergency shelters, and support groups for Black women and families.

The organization registers clients via a online form.

The SAFE place

The SAFE Place is another resource the Women’s Center uses for referrals.

Located in the Student Services Building in Suite 403, SAFE Place provides free and confidential counseling and emotional support to students, staff, and faculty experiencing domestic or sexual violence.

You can make service appointments by sending an email (email address) or call 415-694-3825. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Women Against Rape in San Francisco (SFWAR)

SAFE Place’s off-campus community partner, Women in San Francisco Against Rapeprovides resources, support, advocacy and education to people experiencing sexual and domestic violence and has a 24-hour crisis line.

Title IX Office

Further down the same hallway as the SAFE Place is located is the Title IX office.

Title IX is a federal law that applies to all colleges and universities. The law protects against discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. This includes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

The Title IX office offers the same services as the SAFE Place, but all cases are not confidential and must be reported to the university.

Titus said they focus on the safety of the individual and the first step is to develop a safety plan. Then the student is given referrals to resources.

The office may also issue a restraining order, which is a restriction specifically aimed at limiting the abuser’s ability to contact the person.

“If that person did contact them and they fell under the jurisdiction of the university, then that would become a student conduct issue, and we take that very seriously,” Titus said.

Monica Ocegueda, a first-year art student, attended an information session about resources for women on campus.

“When I was an undergraduate, I felt like I didn’t have those resources,” Ocegueda said. “But now I feel supported as a woman, by women, and it’s free.”