October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States.

The subject has been brought to light in recent weeks by the case of Gabby Petito, whose body was found after she went missing on a trip to Grand Teton National Park with her boyfriend. During this trip, a witness from Utah called 911 for possible domestic violence after seeing the couple arguing.

But stories related to domestic violence are unfortunately not uncommon, especially as calls to crisis lines increased at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s okay for couples to argue or for a partner to ask you where you are, but there are patterns of bad behavior that should set off red flags. In light of recent news in the Gabby Petito case, we spoke with Tracy Tamborra, professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven and former director of a domestic violence services agency in New Jersey. .

State law defines domestic violence as “abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, ex-spouse, common-law partner, former partner or a person with whom the suspect has had a child or has had a child. or had a romantic relationship or engagement, ”according to the California Department of Justice.

According to data from that office, there were 160,646 calls for help related to domestic violence in the state of California in 2020 alone.

Of these calls, 35,498 were in Los Angeles County, 10,890 in Orange County, 8,456 in San Bernardino County, 6,344 in Riverside County and 6,162 in Ventura County.

If you’re in Southern California and you or someone you know needs help, or would like to volunteer to help others, here are some of the shelters and resources available.

Los Angeles County

The Child and Family Center has locations in Palmdale and Santa Clarita, and provides 30-day emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, and classes for individuals and children fleeing domestic violence. They have services in English and Spanish, and their 24-hour emergency helpline is 661-259-4357.

The Institute for Multicultural Educational and Advisory Services “Works with courts, probation services and shelters” to help prevent and respond to domestic violence. Their services include education, counseling and crisis intervention, and are available in Armenian, Russian, Farsi, Spanish, Tagalog and English.

IMCES also provides a wide range of other non-domestic violence services, with locations in Los Angeles, Glendale and West Covina. They can be reached by phone at 213-381-1250.

Ruth’s house in Claremont offers emergency shelters, counseling, housing assistance, legal services, child care services and treatment programs for victims of domestic violence. Their services are available in English and Spanish, they are LGBTQ + compatible, and their free 24-hour hotline is 877-988-5559.

Interval house in Long Beach promotes itself as the premier survivor-led program and offers housing programs, counseling, legal assistance, education and specialized cultural programs for those fleeing domestic violence. Their website says they provide service “in over 70 different languages,” and their helplines are 562-594-4555 and 714-891-8121.

The LA County Public Social Services Department also has a long list of shelters and additional resources, including centers that specialize in helping people of particular religions and ethnic or racial backgrounds. The list also includes ways to connect to free legal services.

Orange County

The Transitional life center for women provides “a comprehensive residential program, children’s program, hotline and community service program” to “all victims of violence” in Orange County.

This is an LGBTQ + safe zone and their 24 hour helpline is 877-531-5522.

San Bernardino County

Optional house in San Bernardino offers support groups, parenting classes, restraining order services, emergency shelter, therapy, and counseling to educate you on the warning signs of abuse.

They also have special resources on elder abuse and resources for LGBTQ + people. Their 24 hour emergency line is 909-381-3471, and provides help in English and Spanish.

Riverside County

Alternatives to domestic violence serves “all of western Riverside County,” according to its website, and provides emergency housing, individual and group counseling, life skills education and skills training, children’s services and training for professionals to recognize the signs of domestic violence.

They also provide anger management treatment for abusers and information on the warning signs of domestic violence. Their 24-hour helplines are 951-683-0829 for those in town “and out of county” or 800-339-7233 for the rest of Riverside County.

Ventura County

The Ventura County Family Justice Center is “a collaborative team of more than 40 public agencies and community organizations,” which provides free services to people facing domestic violence, according to its website. Its services include emergency aid, housing and housing assistance, legal services, counseling and advocacy.

The center can be reached by phone at 805-652-7655, or by text at 805-947-7981.

The pandemic has left some of the most vulnerable victims of domestic violence, often feeling lonely, with nowhere to turn. Hetty Chang reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on April 16, 2021.

National resources

The National helpline on domestic violence listed by the United States Department of Justice is free and confidential. The number is 1-800-799-7233. They also have an SMS option, available when you send “START” to 88788.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has tips for seeking help from law enforcement, tips for seeking legal assistance, and tips for developing a security plan for dealing with abusers available on their website.