County adopts domestic violence awareness proclamation

Wild Iris holds fundraiser to commemorate 40 years of service

The Inyo County Board of Supervisors at its meeting Tuesday approved a proclamation declaring October 2021 Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which recognizes the impact the issue has throughout the county and here at home.

Matias Bernal, executive director, for Wild Iris Family Counseling and Crisis Center, which serves Inyo and Mono counties, on Tuesday said the ageny is celebrating 40 years of service to the area this year.

Bernal said Wild Iris began with two women who volunteered, wanting to do something to end domestic violence in the community and raising awareness of the deeper problem the issue presents.

The effort, Bernal said, has grown over the last 40 years into a nonprofit organization of 22 employees who provide complimentary and responsive services to anyone who has been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse in the Eastern Sierra.

“As we look back at our 40 years of service,” Bernal said, “our lines of work and services continue to expand just as the needs continue to expand.”

The staffs in both counties provide safety planning, advocacy, case management, accompaniment, emergency food and clothing, as well as the 24-hour hotline that is staffed seven days a week, he said.

Bernal said Wild Iris also was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wild Iris hotline, in 2019, saw an average of about 150 to 200 calls a month, Bernal said. That compares to 2020 during which the agency saw up to almost 1,000 calls a month.

“What that was telling us is that our communities here in Inyo and Mono counties are directly being affected by domestic violence at their homes, Bernal said.

In addition, he said, the number of clients who are seeking restraining orders and safe havens also has increased.

The pandemic hampered Wild Iris further in that the agency was unable to hold fundraising activities that bring in additional funds for services.

“However, in 2021, I’m excited to share that we

have reopened our offices, both here in Bishop and Mammoth, and we continue to see an increased number of calls that we continue to meet,” Bernal said.

He said despite that many challenges the agency faced, Wild Iris remains committed to its mission.

“We are dedicated to promoting a safer community by empowering and restoring the independence of those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse,” he said.

Bernal said to commemorate Wild Iris’ 40th anniversary, the agency is conducting a fundraiser and hopes to raise $40,000 for 40 years of service by the end of this year.

He said the effort has raised $3,600 as of this month.

Those interested in donating can go to the Wild Iris website at www.wild-iris.org where there is a link for donations. People can send donations to Wild Iris at PO Box 697, Bishop, CA, 93515.

Supervisors commended Bernal and the work that Wild Iris does.

“I know you work hard to provide services even out in the southeast part of our county and I know that’s a stretch some times,” said Fifth District Supervisor Matt Kingsley. “I really do appreciate that. It’s very important.”

The hotline for Wild Iris is (877) 873-7384. The agency is located at 150 N. Main St., Bishop.

The proclamation

The proclamation passed by supervisors Tuesday notes, in part, that:

• Domestic violence affects women, men, and children of all racial, ethnic, cultural, social, religious, and economic groups in the United States and here in California.

• The marginalization of certain groups in society, including undocumented individuals, transgender individuals, and people living with disabilities, increases their vulnerability to intimate partner violence.

• Native American women residing on reservations suffer domestic violence and physical assault at rates 50% higher than women of other races and at least 70% of this violence is committed by persons of another race.

• It is important to understand the complexity of violence as perpetuated within communities and against communities, and the fear of many victims to report to law enforcement.

• Domestic violence costs $8.3 billion in expenses annually: a combination of higher medical costs ($5.8 billion) and lost productivity ($2.5 billion).