Hidden Homicides: Resources for domestic violence, suicide prevention and suspicious death cases
These resources offer support for those facing domestic violence, suicide risk or suspicious deaths - all topics covered in "Hidden Homicides: Fighting for Answers."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Domestic Violence Resources:
National Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
-
Call: 1-800-799-SAFE.
-
Text: “BEGIN” to 88788
-
This phone number provides 24/7 confidential support nationwide. You can also live chat online by following the link above.
-
California Resources:
Call 211 from anywhere in California for a free, confidential information service that connects users to local domestic violence programs, crisis centers, and emergency shelters.
California Family Justice Network
-
California’s network of Family Justice Centers offers a center for victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and human trafficking. These centers connect individuals with crisis intervention, safety planning, legal assistance (including restraining orders), youth services, and support networks - all under one roof. Anyone in need can reach out to their local Family Justice Center for help, resources, and a path toward safety.
Sacramento Resources:
Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center
-
The Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center provides "resources to victims of domestic violence and elder abuse, including safety plans, legal assistance for the preparation of restraining orders, and court accompaniment."
-
Address: 3701 Power Inn Road, Suite 3000, Sacramento, CA 95826
-
Call 916-875-HOPE (4673)
-
WEAVE offers "multilingual services, counseling, a safehouse program with emergency supportive programs, legal assistance (with restraining orders, separation, child or spousal support, and divorce), and educational presentations on safety and prevention for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking."
-
Address: 1900 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
-
24-hour support & information line: 916-920-2952
Mental Health Resources:
National Resources:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Using the 988 Lifeline is free. When you call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, your conversation is confidential. You can call or text 988 from anywhere in the United States to get connected.
Crisis Text Line - Text "Home" to 741-741
- Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States - 24/7 for a free, confidential conversation. A live, trained volunteer crisis counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.
California Resources:
- Call or text 855-600-WARM (9276) to speak with a counselor 24/7.
- The CA Peer Run Warm Line provides "peer-led, non-coercive, and stigma-reducing support that addresses a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse."
Sacramento Resources:
Sacramento Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: 916-368-3111
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sacramento
- NAMI Sacramento is "a grassroots organization that provides a community of support, education, resources, and outreach to families, friends, and persons with mental illness so as to improve their general welfare, and reduce the stigma of mental illness."
- NAMI Helpline (M-F, 9 AM - 5 PM): 916-890-5467
Suspicious Death Resources:
Alliance for Hope International
The Alliance for Hope International is “one of the leading systems and social change organizations in the country, focused on creating innovative, collaborative, trauma-informed, and hope-centered approaches to meeting the needs of survivors.” The organization offers training, advocacy, and resources for issues including domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, and is one of the few in the nation to also focus on cases involving suspicious deaths and staged suicides.
- Website: Contact the Alliance for Hope International
- Email: info@allianceforhope.com
- Phone: 888-511-3522
Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention
The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention provides "training, technical assistance, web-based education programs, a directory of national trainers and experts, and robust resources related to strangulation crimes." The organization aims to enhance victim safety and offender accountability by providing training, consulting, resources, and support services to professionals like victim advocates, law enforcement personnel, legal staff, and healthcare professionals.
- Website: Contact the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention
- Email: institute@allianceforhope.com
California Senate Bill 989 Information
- Click here for full California Legislative Information
- SB 989 Summary, timeline and analysis via CalMatters
10 Red Flag Factors
"'Joanna's law' (SB 989) includes 10 factors that may exist in death cases and requires law enforcement to look for them before concluding any death investigation." The 10 factors include:
- The person died prematurely or in an untimely manner.
- The death scene appears to result from a suicide or accident.
- One partner wanted to end the relationship.
- There was a history of being victimized by domestic violence that included coercive control.
- The person was found dead in a home or place of residence.
- The person was found by a current or previous partner.
- There was a history of being victimized by domestic violence that included strangulation or suffocation.
- The current or previous partner of the person who died or their child was the last to see the person alive.
- The partner had control of the scene before law enforcement arrived.
- The body of the person was moved, or the scene or other evidence was altered in some way.
Dr. Jane Monckton-Smith Research
Dr. Jane Monckton-Smith is one of the few professionals researching homicides that were staged to appear as suicides. Her research found over 129 "undetermined" cases in the United Kingdom that could be potential hidden homicides. You can read more of her research here.