Domestic violence levels spike in summer, according to Morongo Basin Unity Home

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email June 26, 2026

Did you know that reports of domestic violence increase when school is out of session? That’s according to Unity Home Executive Director Susanna Barnett. She oversees the Morongo Basin Unity Home which provides services and shelter to the victims of domestic violence. Barnett and Unity Home Education Coordinator Marcos Escalera were guests on a recent episode of the Z107.7 Up Close Show. Barnett spoke with host Gary Daigneault about the history of Unity Home, its mission, and why the domestic violence reports increase when school is out.

Local Advertisers

Unity Home started in Twentynine Palms in 1982. There were some concerned members of a church, a military person and also a nurse. They saw that there was a lot of families coming into the church that were experiencing homelessness. When organizers found out that they were displaced due to fleeing violence in their home, they started Unity Home.

“We’ve been at our current location for 33 years. Our shelter has 30 beds. We have six large bedrooms. It looks like a home. You know, we try to make it as comfortable and home-like as possible. Fireplace in the living room, TV, family room, children room, basketball court. We try to make it as as home-like as possible so they can come and feel serenity and feel safe most of all because that is the number one priority.”

Daigneault asked about an increase in reports of domestic violence since the founding of Unity Home. Barnett said, ” I don’t believe that people gotten more violent. Because I am an optimist, I see that more people are able to reach our services because of funding, because of social media, because of awareness. So I don’t think we’re, you know, gotten worse or anything.

“We do see a rise in reports when school is out. We have a lot more hotlines because families tend to stay to keep the children in the school area. And then when school is out, then they flee the abusive relationship.”

Unity Home’s primary mission is safety, prevention, breaking the cycle and educating.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can call Unity Home’s hotline phone number: 760-366-9663.

You can listen to the full conversation with Susanna Barnett here:

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email June 26, 2026
Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.