Domestic violence is the single leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15-44 in the United States; more than muggings, car accidents, and rape combined. Each year between 2 million - 4 million women are battered and 2,000 of these battered women will die of their injuries. Domestic violence also known as spouse abuse, intimate partner violence, or teen dating violence occurs when one person uses force to inflict injury either emotional or physical, upon another person they have, or had, a relationship with. Although domestic violence cuts across race, socioeconomic status, education, and income distinctions, it has been estimated that African American women experience a disproportionate amount of domestic violence compared to Caucasian women.
There are four types of abuse:
Physical - Includes punching, slapping, choking, and having a weapon pulled to the victim's face. Consequences of abuse include rape, unwanted and aborted pregnancies, stress related illnesses, increased substance abuse, suicide attempts, and homicide.
Mental (Verbal) - Causes anxiety attacks, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic depression, and suicidal thoughts and ideation.
Sexual - Characterized as unwanted and unwilling sexual acts.
Economic - Denial of access to the resources to which victims are legally and morally entitled, such as housing, employment, and family support.
LOCAL EVENTS
DATE
MARCH 2008
TIME
12
POLICY SUMMIT
Ending Violence Against Women:
Making it happen in LA! California Endowment Building Led by 3 international women service agencies and joined by 30 collaborating agencies that includes LAPD, LA Co DV Council, LA Co District Attorney, LA Co Office of Women's Health, and various government and non-profit agencies. The intention of the Summit is to find flaws in the system - in policy or practice - and find ways to fix them. Los Angeles Urban League collaborates with the group, Safety by Design: Sites and Settings of Violence Against Women; specific discussions by experts on workplace violence, campus safety, neighborhood safety, and the media's role on reporting violence against women.
7:30 a.m. -
4:30 p.m.
DATE
APRIL 2008
TIME
DATE
MAY 2008
TIME
Space is Limited
For more information and workshops registration
email
Jacquelyn Horton or call 323.292.8111 ext. 614
or email Aisha Richards 323.292.8111 ext. 637
If you need help or resources concerning domestic violence dial #HOPE (#4673) from any Verizon wireless phone and you will be directly connected to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
What Can Each of Us Do?
Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence.
Speak out publicly against domestic violence.
Take action personally against domestic violence when a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend, or a family member is involved or being abused.
Encourage your neighborhood watch or block association to become as concerned with watching out for domestic violence as with burglaries and other crimes.
Reach out to support someone whom you believe is a victim of domestic violence and/or talk with a person you believe is being abusive.
Help others become informed, by inviting speakers to your church, professional organization, civic group, or workplace.
Support domestic violence counseling programs and shelters.
Resources
Counseling Services
5701 West Slauson Ave., Suite 108
Culver City, CA 90230
310.410.9504
