It could be happening to your neighbor or coworker, the person standing behind you in line to get coffee, or even the child playing next to yours on the playground.

Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, race, religion or education. It is a pervasive crime impacting millions across the US. Anyone can be affected by domestic violence, but there is hope because we all can do something to end it.

Join us this October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in taking action. It’s important that we take a stand together and break the silence that allows domestic violence to thrive, celebrate survivors and amplify their voices, mourn those we have lost at the hand of domestic violence, and end domestic violence with education.

We stand with organizations here locally and across the nation, like WomenShelter of Long Beach, National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV), whose sole mission is to end domestic violence and empower survivors, this month and all year-round.

Let’s promote education and awareness, provide hope to those who need it most, and save lives! Join the fight by starting with these actions:

  1. Learn to understand.
    Victims face many barriers to escaping domestic violence. Misconceptions associated with domestic violence have created a society where victims may not feel safe disclosing the abuse or they may fear that they won’t be believed if they come forward. Learning what domestic violence is, its warning signs, and how to change your language so as not to further reinforce misconceptions are powerful ways we can break down a major barrier. NNEDV exposes popular misconceptions and provides responses to helpfully reframe the conversation here. And for statistics, definitions of abuse and other educational information, visit NCADV’s website.

  2. Start the conversation.
    Although it’s estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime, incidents may go unreported because victims may not feel safe to talk about the abuse. You can save a life by starting a compassionate conversation. For advice on starting that conversation, download NNEDV’s 10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation about Domestic Violence.

  3. Become an advocate.
    Break the silence and use your voice online and in-person to spread awareness and extend support to those affected by domestic violence. Volunteer at a local organization committed to helping those affected by domestic violence. Participate in local domestic violence awareness events – join us at WomenShelter’s 12th Annual Awareness and Prevention event: Lead With Love on Saturday, October 20 from 11am to 4pm. Stay informed. Action ignites real change!

Local Domestic Violence Resources

Reporting Abuse

Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services

24 Hour Hotline: (800) 540-4000

Legal Help

Women’s Law has legal information and resources for victims.

 

COMPTON & SURROUNDING AREAS

1736 Family Crisis Center
24-Hour Crisis Hotlines: (310)-370-5902 & (310)-379-3620

 

The Guidance Center
Compton Clinic: (310) 669-9510

 

New Star Family Justice Center
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 978-3600

 

Victim-Witness Assistance – Compton Branch
(310) 603-7579

YWCA LA
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (877) 943-5778
Compton Empowerment Center: (310) 763-9117

 

LONG BEACH

Interval House
24-Hour Crisis Hotlines: (562) 594-4555 & (714) 891-8121

 

WomenShelter of Long Beach

24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (562) 437-4663

 

Su Casa, Ending Domestic Violence
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (562) 402-4888

 

The Guidance Center
Long Beach Clinic: (562) 595-1159

 

Victim-Witness Assistance – Long Beach Branch
(562) 247-2068

 

YWCA LA
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (877)943-5778
South Bay Empowerment Center: (562) 590-6400

 

SAN PEDRO

Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter 
(310) 518-3667

 

Rainbow Services DV
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (310) 547-9343

 

The Guidance Center
San Pedro Clinic: (310) 833-3135