LA city, district attorney launches campaign to help victims of domestic abuse

LOS ANGELES - Five weeks into the stay at home orders, there’s been a dramatic drop in the reporting of crimes against children, seniors and individuals in abusive relationships, according to LA County’s District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

Experts know, just because no one is reporting crimes doesn’t mean they aren’t occurring. In fact, the Center for the Pacific Asian Family saw a drop in calls for help to its hotline (1-800-339-3940 ) for the first couple of weeks, then calls increased dramatically.

Natchawi Wadman estimates the last few weeks, the group saw as many calls, as CPAF would typically get in a year.

She worries with people stuck at home, perhaps without income and the pressures of schooling their kids, tensions are running high, and the one with the power may be keeping, the abused from reaching out for help.

“What are you doing with your phone, who are your trying to call, who are you trying to text.” Wadman recounted comments she’s heard from survivors.

LA County’s DA and City Attorney Mike Feurer announced Friday the #BehindClosedDoors campaign.

They both worry, that crimes of abuse are still occurring, but are being suppressed by the abuser.

“With schools closed, children have lost a valuable lifeline. The more time they spend behind closed doors, the longer child abuse may go undetected.”

Lacey says seniors may also be at risk, and the abuse could be verbal, financial, or emotional.

As part of the #BehindClosedDoors campaign, grocery stores will post flyers with phone numbers people can use to report abuse or their suspicions of abuse.

Hotlines

L.A. County Domestic Abuse Hotline

1-800-978-3600

L.A. County Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-540-4000

L.A. County Elder Abuse Hotline

1-800-477-3646

Shelters

Haven Hills

24-hour hotline: 818-887-6589

Center for the Pacific Asian Family

24-hour hotline: 1-800-339-3940