Domestic Violence Awareness Month NR11491rh

Los Angeles: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in partnership with local businesses and community groups, will commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout October. The Mayor’s domestic violence awareness initiative, S.A.F.E. (Stop Abuse From Existing) is a long-term commitment to reduce domestic violence and teen dating violence in the City’s communities through a variety of linked strategies.

The Mayor has partnered with Verizon, Clear Channel Radio, Clear Channel Outdoor, Lamar Advertising Company, Blue Shield of California Foundation, CBS Outdoor, Transit TV, Mann’s Chinese Theater, AEG, the Coliseum, the Los Angeles Convention Center, Capitol Records/EMI, LADWP and the Los Angeles Police Foundation to help get the word out about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“To experience an act of violence from someone you love and trust is traumatic, and I know personally that the hurt and despair can stay with you forever,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and as a survivor of abuse and as Mayor of LA, I have worked to leverage every resource at my disposal to ensure that no one else has to endure this cycle of violence.”

Next Thursday, the Mayor will show his support for domestic violence victims at a screening of “Telling Amy’s Story,” a film chronicling the domestic abuse of a former Verizon employee who was murdered by her husband. The event is sponsored by Journey of Hope, an organization led by family members of deceased domestic violence victims and Verizon Wireless.

As part of this awareness month, Verizon Wireless and the Los Angeles Police

Foundation have launched a “Text to Donate” program. Anyone, regardless of cell phone carrier, can text LAPF5 to 20222 to donate $5, or LAPF10 to donate $10. Proceeds will benefit programs of the Los Angeles Police Department’s domestic violence prevention and intervention programs.
                                                                                           
One of the main programs benefited is the City’s Domestic Abuse Response Team, or DART. DART is a law enforcement-based crisis response team that pairs civilian advocates with LAPD police officers to respond to reported incidents of domestic violence. In 2005, the state stopped funding DART, but the City stepped up its commitment and has doubled the program over the last six years. In 2010, the LAPD received 48,042 domestic violence-related calls and reported 20,467 domestic violence-related crimes. Domestic violence crimes decreased by 7% from 2009 to 2010.

For the first time in our City’s history, every LAPD Division has a Lieutenant who is designated as a domestic violence coordinator and is responsible for coordinating domestic violence cases with an advocacy group in that division. The LAPD has partnered with at least one domestic violence service provider for each of the 21 LAPD divisions. The work of these agencies is to provide hope, counseling, support, and legal advocacy to victims and their families is critical to ending the cycle of violence. Among the agencies working with the LAPD are Project Peacemakers, Jenesee Center, House of Ruth, Valley Family Center, Peace Over Violence, Children’s Institute, Sojourn Services, Haven Hills, Valley Trauma, Rainbow Services, and Domestic Abuse Center.

Both public and corporate partners are promoting Domestic Violence Awareness Month by helping to “Turn LA Purple,” the official color of the awareness campaign. LAX, Capitol Records, L.A. Live and Staples Center, are among the buildings that feature purple lights throughout the month.

CBS Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor, and Lamar Advertising will provide print and digital, and radio public service announcements showcasing the 24 hour hotline numbers and advertising the Text to Donate campaign on hundreds of billboards throughout Los Angeles highlighting the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Also part of the awareness month, Verizon Wireless and the City of Los Angeles are conducting a HopeLine phone and accessory recycling drive benefiting survivors of domestic violence. Since 2001, HopeLine has awarded more than $30 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and has collected more than seven million phones.

To learn more about the Mayor’s Domestic Violence initiatives or if you or someone you know are looking for help, please visit www.safela.org.