Domestic Violence
California law defines “domestic violence” as abuse committed against an adult or a minor (Penal Code Section 13700(b)): This includes one or more o the following relationships:
- A current or former spouse,
- A current or former registered domestic partner,
- A current or former live-in romantic partner (a “cohabitant”),
- A person with whom you have, or have had, a child, or,
- Someone you are seriously dating or were in a dating relationship with, in the past.
Common domestic violence crimes in California include:
- Willful inflicting of corporal injury occurs when the person willfully inflicts corporal injury upon another person. The person is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, current, or former dating relationship partner, current or former cohabitant, engagement partner, or they have a child in common. The injury is considered a traumatic condition upon the victim (Penal Code Section 273.5).
- Battery (as related to domestic violence): occurs when unlawful force or violence is used against a spouse/former spouse, current/former dating relationship, current/former engagement relationship, person with whom respondent has had a child with, or cohabitant (Penal Code Section 243(e)(1)).
- Stalking (Penal Code Section 644.9): to willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following or harassing another person and making a credible threat with the intent of placing that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety or that of his or her immediate family.
- Examples of stalking behavior:
- Unwanted or unexplained following of the victim,
- Cyberstalking,
- Evidence that the defendant was gathering inexplicably large amounts of information regarding the victim,
- Unwanted communication between the defendant and the victim.
- Examples of stalking behavior:
REMEMBER, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR
DOCUMENTS:
DV PAMPHLET – ENG
DV PAMPHLET – SPAN
THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
1-800-422-4453
thehotline.org
Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
Is Change Possible In An Abuser?
Create Your Personal Safety Plan
MONTEREY COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE (YWCA)
831-372-6300
831-757-1001
ywcamc.org
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LINKS & RESOURCES
SHELTERS
- Community Homeless Solutions (Salinas)
(831)422-8602
communityhomelesssolutions.org/dv
- Community Homeless Solutions (Marina)
(831)394-8372
communityhomelesssolutions.org/dv
- YWCA
Crisis lines: (831)372-6300 or (831)757-1001
COUNSELING, INFORMATION, REFERRAL & LEGAL SERVICES
- YWCA
Business hours: (831)422-8602
24 HR. Crisis Line: (831)372-6300 or (831)757-1001
ywcamc.org
Provides free confidential information, support, and services available such as housing referrals, case management, supportive counseling/therapy, education and job training, legal advocacy, and emergency fund assistance for victims of Domestic Violence.
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey
831-422-0602
catholiccharitiesdom.org
Provides free assistance and guidance for those who struggle in achieving lawful permanent residency and those who meet the requirements for a visa, including U-Visa and T-Visa. - Legal Services for Seniors
Salinas location: 947 Blanco Cir, Salinas CA 93955
831-442-7700
Seaside Location: 915 Hilby Avenue, Suite 2, Seaside, CA 93955
(831)899-0492
lssmc.net
Free legal assistance, including restraining orders, for people over 60 years of age. - Monterey College of Law
831-582-3600
montereylaw.edu/clinics/
Provides workshops for restraining orders, collections, small claims, family law advisory and Guardianship. - Monterey County Superior Court Self-Help Center (Family Law / Restraining Orders)
(831)647-5800 ext. 3005
monterey.courts.ca.gov/self-help - Monterey County District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Unit
Salinas Office: 142 W. Alisal Street, Suite A, Salinas, CA 93901
831-755-5072
King City Office: 250 Franciscan Way, King City, CA 93930
(831)385-8325
co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/district-attorney
- Kinship Center
(831)455-9965
www.kinshipcenter.org
Provides assistance with guardianship, adoption, and other issues concerning families and children.
OTHER AGENCIES
- Monterey County Probation Department – Child Advocacy Program
20 East Alisal Street Salinas, CA 93901
(831)796-1200 or (831)784-5799
Provides community-based intervention and prevention services to victims of domestic violence and their children (ages 0-5) if the perpetrator of that abuse is on formal probation for either domestic violence or child abuse. - Monterey County Social Services
Salinas Location: 1000 South Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
(831)755-4448 - MC-CHOICE Outreach Office
Salinas location: 1000 S. Main Street, Suite 216
(831)755-4650 or Toll Free: 1-866-323-1953
King City Location: 116 Broadway Street, King City, CA 93930
(831)385-7400 or Toll Free: 1-866-323-1953
https://mc-choice.co.monterey.ca.us/contact-us/
Provides assistance with enrollment of children in the Medi-Cal program, CalFresh (Food stamps), Cal-Works, and General Assistance Programs. - Food Bank Monterey County
353 W Rossi St. Salinas, CA 93907
831-758-1523
foodbankformontereycounty.org
Provides food distribution at different locations, please visit the website for dates, times, and locations.
Soledad: Our Lady of Solitude Church, 235 Main Street (Pedestrians only, non-drive-thru distribution) - Monterey County Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
Soledad location: 355 Gavilan Dr. Soledad, CA 93960
831-755-4700
https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health/public-health/women-infants-and-children-wic/wic-home
Provides nutrition and health information, monthly food benefits for healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other community resources
- Monterey County Family & Children’s Services
1000 S. Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
(831)755-4475
24 HR Child Support Services
800-606-6618 or 831-755-4661
Provides a collaborative and community-engaged approach to work with children and families involved in the Child Welfare System, CPS, foster care, and adoption services.
