West Los Angeles Area Gives Holiday Gift to Family, Victims of Domestic

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, December 27, 1999
Los Angeles Police Department’s West Los Angeles Area today gave a holiday gift of $500.00 to a refugee family who was victims of domestic violence. The wife and children have been brutalized for more than 19 years. The victim came to the U.S. in the hopes that the greater opportunities here along with the religious tolerance would help her husband be less angry and less violent. In preparation for coming, she tried to learn English by watching American television programs.

The family arrived here a little less than a year ago with their four children, and it quickly became apparent that the violence would continue. The last time that she was attacked, the victim called LAPD for help. Despite extreme economic hardship and social isolation, she is determined to give her children a safe and happy life.

This gift is part of LAPD’s commitment to help reduce family violence and to assist victims in the often dangerous process of moving towards safety. West Los Angeles Area has a comprehensive two-year-old program which pairs domestic violence counselors with officers to respond to family violence calls. The goal is to provide victims with immediate crisis counseling as well as connect them with relevant services.

"Domestic violence is a particularly virulent crime in that hurts innocent victims today and plants the seed for future violence in our children" says Captain Wallace Graves of West Los Angeles Detectives, "As a community we must do everything in our power to stop this violence and protect our future."

For further information please contact Patricia Prickett, Safe Women’s Project, West Los Angeles at 310-575-8409 or Sergeant James Eicher at 310-575-8401.

For Release 10:05 am PST
December 27, 1999