The lanterns above Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Robertson Boulevard and Hancock Avenue in the City of West Hollywood, are currently glowing purple in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The lanterns were changed to the solid color on October 20, 2020 and will stay that way through October 27, 2020.
As part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the WeHo City Council presented proclamation to Traipsing Thru Films’ Renee Sotile and Mary Jo Godges, the producers of the global anthem “I Remember Nicole.” Commemorating the memory of Nicole Brown Simpson, the music video seeks to increase awareness of domestic violence issues.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive more than 20,000 calls, an average of close to 15 calls every minute. Experts predict that the COVID-19 pandemic Safer at Home orders will most likely cause an increase in these numbers for 2020 due to people experiencing domestic violence being required to stay at home.
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Domestic violence occurs in same- and opposite-sex relationships, and among those who are married, in long-term, and short-term relationships. Domestic violence can take many forms – in addition to physical abuse, it can include sexual abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, intimidation, controlling behaviors, isolating behaviors and economic abuse. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
If you or someone you care about has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, there are resources to help:
- The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers a website area with comprehensive information about warning signs of domestic violence and abuse.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline website at www.thehotline.org offers immediate help 24/7/365 via the “chat now” button on the website or by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting LOVEIS to 22522, and for people who are Deaf/hard of hearing: 1-855-812-1011 (VP) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
- Immediate help is also available via the Los Angeles County DV Hotline 24 hours day by contacting 1-800-978-3600.
- The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers domestic violence/partner abuse counseling services geared toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities by contacting (323) 993-7649.
- The Jewish Family Service’s Family Violence Program provides confidential 24-hour crisis lines for victims of abuse by contacting (310) 858-9344 (English/Spanish); (818) 464-2864 (Farsi) and (310) 858-9344 (Jewish Orthodox).
- Peace Over Violence provides one-on-one intervention in sexual assaults, domestic abuse, youth violence and child abuse by contacting the 24-hour hotline (310) 392-8381.
- The SPCA-LA Animal Safety Net provides temporary homes for pets of domestic violence survivors by contacting 1-888-527-7722.
The City of West Hollywood remains in a declared local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. While Los Angeles County is allowing for a phased reopening of some businesses and activities, coronavirus transmission and COVID-19 disease remain a serious risk. West Hollywood City Hall is currently closed to in-person transactions, but City Hall services remain accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via the City’s website at www.weho.org. City of West Hollywood coronavirus information is available at www.weho.org/coronavirus.
For more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please contact City of West Hollywood Community Events Coordinator Larissa Fooks at (323) 848-6413 or [email protected]. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
