Domestic Violence Awareness Month

DV Awareness Month 2007
Originally uploaded by CD-13

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I joined the city’s Domestic Violence Task Force in drawing attention to this plight that affects every community. Connecting victims with services and support to get out of abusive relationships is critical to ending domestic violence and creating safer communities.

Domestic violence is all too familiar for many in Los Angeles. Out of shame or fear, victims often remain in the shadows of an abusive relationship, afraid to ask for help or seek out services. That fear and shame can be compounded for victims who don’t speak English, whose immigration status is uncertain, or whose sexual orientation is wielded as a threat to keep them in an abusive relationship. We are committed to helping every victim get help and stay safe.

As part of this year’s awareness campaign, the City of Los Angeles has partnered with Verizon Wireless to bring HopeLine to Los Angeles. At City facilities throughout Los Angeles, including my Hollywood office at 5500 Hollywood Blvd., you will see boxes like the one pictured here where you can drop off cell phones and accessories to help victims of domestic violence. HopeLine has raised more than $4 million in grants to DV shelters and given more than 40,000 phones to victims of domestic violence. This month, every Angeleno has the opportunity to help victims of domestic violence by simply cleaning out their junk drawer and donating their old wireless phone.