Be Informed:

Domestic violence is defined as abuse committed against members of the same family, a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a person with whom the offender has had a child, or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship regardless of sexual orientation or between children and elderly parents.

Domestic violence may begin with angry words, a shove, or a slap, and may escalate into a pattern of assaultive controlling behaviors including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks against the victim, children, property, and/or pets.

Criminal domestic violence behaviors include hitting, choking, kicking, assault with a weapon, shoving, scratching, biting, rape, unwanted sexual touching, forcing sex with a third party, or violation of a valid Restraining Order. Degrading comments, interrogating family members, suicide threats/attempts, controlling victim’s time and activities, although not criminal, are also considered domestic violence behaviors.

Domestic violence is not an isolated, individual event. One battering episode builds ..pisodes and sets the stage for future episodes. All incidents of the pattern interact with each other and have a profound effect on the victim. There is a wide range of consequences, some physically injurious and some not, but all are psychologically damaging.

Some acts of domestic violence even include sexual assault. A sexual assault may be by a stranger or a person known to the victim, including a husband, boyfriend, ex-husband, or ex-boyfriend. Sexual assault is a crime. Victims should notify the police immediately. A police officer will respond to conduct an investigation and collect evidence. Victims should keep all clothing worn during the assault and other evidence such as bed sheets. Officers will transport victims to the hospital for a free medical exam. Victims should not shower or douche before the exam.

Research has shown that this pattern of control and abuse increases in frequency and severity over time. It is estimated that one-fourth of all homicides in this country occurs within the family and one-half of these are husband-wife killings. Studies have shown that arrest, jail, probation, and Restraining Orders deter many abusers from physically abusing their partners.

If you become a victim of annoying phone calls, you should report them to the Los Angeles Police Department. Your phone company may be able to assist in tracking the origin of the calls if they have a police report number. If you become a victim of threatening phone calls, report them to your local police department immediately. The Los Angeles Police Department takes threatening calls serious, and so should you, especially if you are in a battering relationship or have been a victim of domestic violence.

You are not alone and many different kinds of help are available to you in your community. The Los Angeles Police Department is concerned about your safety!

Did you know…….

* A woman is beaten every 15 seconds.

* Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between ages 15 and 44 in the United States.

* Battered women are more likely to suffer miscarriages and to give birth to babies with low birth weights.

* Sixty-three percent of the young men between the ages of 11 and 20 who are serving time for homicide have killed their mother’s abuser.

SAFETY ALERT! Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-SAFE.

Victim Resources

Please remember, if you are being assaulted and need immediate assistance, dial 911. Law enforcement is trained not only to arrest your abuser, but also to help you access resources in your area.

Domestic violence programs are full-service agencies offering a range of services in emergency shelters or transitional living programs, as well as in the community. You may access their services without residing in the shelter. Typical services offered, in addition to shelter, include:

• individual and group counseling for adult victims and also their children


• legal services and legal advocacy


• assistance to access permanent housing


• assistance to develop financial resources


• referrals for medical assistance



You may click on the links below for access to resources and referrals for services in your area.

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You Can Help Heal the Effects of Domestic Violence with a Financial Contribution to Give Back A Smile!

The Give Back A Smile™ program is dedicated to providing cosmetic dental care at no cost to all survivors of domestic violence. The Give Back A Smile™ (GBAS) program was established by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD) out of a desire to give something back to the community, specifically, to help victims of unfortunate circumstances. This community service project was proposed by an AACD Past President, Dr. Wynn Okuda. He believed this program could allow all AACD members to share their talents to help survivors of domestic violence who have suffered damage to, or lost, their smiles in an abusive attack.

To learn more about the project, or if you are survivor seeking dental services, please visit the AACD’s website at http://www.aacd.com/givebackasmile/default.aspx

 

California Domestic Violence Hotline List
Click here for 2006 Updated List

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE or TDD: 1-800-787-3224

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline links individuals to help in their area using a nationwide database that includes detailed information on domestic violence shelters, other emergency shelters, legal advocacy and assistance programs, and social service programs. The Hotline may be reached toll-free by phone from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

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website lists the telephone numbers for the state domestic violence coalitions as well as information from other national and international domestic violence organizations. NCADV also has one-line safety planning information, as well as how to get support and services. The website also has a checklist to find out if you might be in an abusive relationship.

For information about services and resources in CALIFORNIA, click the icons below:

California SafeNetwork

..is a program of California Department of Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Branch - Domestic Violence Section. Their site lists the California Domestic Violence Referral Directory which includes listings for domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines and services, district attorneys, victim/witness programs, legal services, and child and elder abuse services. The site also contains the Domestic Violence Shelter Roster that lists over 150 agencies that specialize in domestic violence services. Emergency shelter programs, counseling, transitional living, education/prevention, advocacy and health services providers. SafeNetwork also hosts links to several national and international resources on domestic violence, sexual assault and self-injury on the Survivor Resources link.

Copyright © 2005 California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

PBS

Lifetime

White House Declares October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Women Against Domestic Violence

California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

Rural Womyn

Women Are Dreamers Too

U.S. Department of Agriculture Safety, Health and Employee Welfare Division

Violence Against Women's Act

The Coalition to End Family Violence

California Safe Network

Human Options Hotline:
(949) 854-3554

Interval House Hotline:
(714) 891-8121

Laura's House Hotline:
(949) 498-1511

Women's Transitional Living Center Hotline:
(714) 992-1931

Safety on Shore:
(714) 538-1878