Public Seminar: The Truth About Domestic Violence NR15047pv

February 9, 2015

Los Angeles: LAPD’s Mission Police Station is sponsoring its third in a series of public seminars, The Truth About Domestic Violence, tomorrow evening, February 10, 2015, at the Sepulveda Recreation Center.

“I can’t overstate the importance and impact of these TRUTH series,” said Capt. Todd Chamberlain, who created the series two and a half years ago, in conjunction with the police station’s Clergy Council. “In the last year alone, we’ve seen over 5,000 people attend these series on gangs, drugs, and domestic violence.”

According to Chamberlain, the series on domestic violence addresses the oft unspoken or hidden violence that occurs behind closed doors. “For too many years, even decades, domestic violence has been written off as inconsequential, sort of how drunk driving was seen before MADD opened people’s eyes,” Chamberlain explained. “In short, we want to re-socialize the community to understand that domestic violence is violence, plain and simple.”

The 90-minute seminar will teach the four types of domestic violence, how to recognize the signs, what victims can do, and where victims and abusers can get help. “We’ve seen several attendees experience epiphanies, realizing they are truly victims or abusers,” Chamberlain said. “That’s the first step to changing one’s life and stopping the cycle of violence once and for all.”

Gangs, drugs and domestic violence form the majority of crimes that impact the community most. “By educating families on these topics, it’s our hope we can reduce crime and the impact of violence that so often tears families part,” Chamberlain added. “We’re striving to work in partnership with our communities as educators, not just enforcers.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the seminar, either for themselves or to get information for others.

Media are welcome, and encouraged, to attend the seminar.

Sepulveda Recreation Center 8801 Kester Avenue, Panorama City Tuesday, February 10, 2015 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Anyone with questions and call LAPD’s Mission Community Relations Office, at (818) 838-9860. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.