FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Teen relationship violence jumped 40% in Fresno County this year, according to the Marjaree Mason Center.<\/p>\n
The domestic violence resource center says it has served hundreds of victims between the ages of 12 and 19 over the last year.<\/p>\n
“We have seen an increase in the physical violence happening very quickly and without any regard for who’s around,” said Leticia Campos, the center’s CEO.<\/p>\n
Campos says her team has responded to several acts of physical violence at local schools.<\/p>\n
She says recently, there was at least one case of strangulation on campus.<\/p>\n
“And the lethality of those between the ages of 12 and 19, we’ve seen an increase in that as well,” she said.<\/p>\n
Data from the center shows that in the first quarter of this year, it received 67 unique reports of domestic violence among teens.<\/p>\n
That’s compared to 39 over the same time period in 2025, and 56 in 2024.<\/p>\n
Campos said reports peak at the end of the school year, between April and August.<\/p>\n
“Access to the victim is less, right? Compared to when they’re on site, on campus together. However, in retrospect, they have constant access to them because of the digital abuse that we are seeing,” she said.<\/p>\n
She says teens’ constant internet access poses a major threat and warns that parents should look out for warning signs such as chronic phone use and isolation.<\/p>\n
She also says parents aren’t alone; there’s help available.<\/p>\n
The Marjaree Mason Center provides training for those wanting to help domestic violence victims, which includes training specific to helping teens.<\/p>\n
It also partners with Fresno Police and operates its ‘kNOw MORE’ program in six Fresno County school districts to help educate students and the community.<\/p>\n
But starting at home, Campos says helping your child starts with communication.<\/p>\n
“Allow them to have an open and free space to come to you and say, ‘This is what’s going on with me, and I just need you to maybe listen right now to what’s happening.’ And offer resources to them, offer comfort, offer love,” Campos said.<\/p>\n
The Marjaree Mason Center offers 40-hour domestic violence training three times a year. Anyone can sign up on the center’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can call the center’s 24-Hour Crisis Helpline at 559-233-HELP.<\/p>\n If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24\/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center<\/a> at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.<\/p>\n Kerry Mannix is a general assignment reporter for ABC30 Action News. For news updates, follow her on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n