Domestic violence advocates are encouraging people to speak up, especially if they're in a violent situation.

The advice comes as the stabbing of three San Juan police officers puts a spotlight on domestic violence.

According to the San Juan Police Department, the officers were responding to a domestic violence call when they were stabbed.

READ MORE: Community reacts after 3 San Juan police officers stabbed during domestic violence call

Police say the suspect, 18-year-old Enrique Martin Ayala, was assaulting his mother when they were dispatched to 400 block of Cancun Lane on Tuesday night.

Jumairy Campos, a victim advocate with the Angels of Love organization that provides resources to domestic violence victims, says it's important people know domestic violence is not just partner abuse.

“When we think of domestic violence we automatically think of partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband — but we forget it can be siblings, mom and son, mom and daughter,” Campos said.

According to San Juan Police Chief Leandro Sifuentes, Tuesday’s family violence call is one of 118 cases of domestic violence the department has seen in 2024.

Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios said it's not unusual for domestic violence incidents to increase during the holidays.

“A lot of times it's the financial pressures we put ourselves through that causes issues, and that combined with we are all celebrating with alcohol — a lot of the times alcohol is related to family violence,” Palacios said.

In 2023, over 7,000 people in a domestic violence situation received help in Hidalgo County, Palacios said. According to Palacios, over 6,100 people have requested assistance so far this year.

Campos said her organization gets up to five calls per day from people requesting assistance.

“It can be crisis intervention, victims are out of the situation but it has been months or years and they are courageous enough to seek help,” Campos said. “There is no excuse for abuse. If something is happening, you have a right to speak up, don't be afraid."

Campos said there are a couple of signs you can look out for, such as verbal threats. 

“Verbal abuse is how it starts, “Campos said. “They break objects, they hit the wall, they don't have emotional stability. It’s important to speak up because this is a cycle we need to break, and if we don't speak up, it's going to continue for years."

Help is available for victims of domestic abuse. They can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7223.

The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s website has several resources for victims of family violence that can be found here. They can also call the DA’s office at 956-292-7600 for more information.

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