Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil

By Shereen Oca, Long Beach Grunion Gazette Staff Writer

In 2008, upwards of 166,000 written police incident reports from law enforcement agencies across the state were filed in response to domestic violence-related calls, according to the California Criminal Justice Statistics Center.

That same year, more than 43,000 such calls were made in Los Angeles County.

"What we know is that domestic violence tends to increase when the economy is in a decline," said TuLynn Smylie, executive director of the WomenShelter of Long Beach.

Financial stressors such as unemployment or reduced hours at work compound during these times, which usually leads to a rise in domestic violence, she explained. And although the number of domestic violence-related calls decreased statewide from 2007 to 2008, Smylie said she recently has noticed an increase in both the number of domestic violence incidents and the severity of cases.

"Before it was pushing and shoving," Smylie said. "Now, it’s broken bones and stabbing."

In an effort to commemorate the lives of those who have died as a result of domestic violence and to honor those who have survived, a candlelight vigil and walk will take place on Friday, Oct. 23, in downtown Long Beach.

"It’s so important to have a public manifestation to show you’re not alone," said Paula Cohen, a senior attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and president of End Abuse Long Beach. "There are many organizations in the city whose sole purpose or mission is to help you through this process and to move from darkness to a hopeful future."

Many of those organizations, including Project Safe at California State University, Long Beach, WomenShelter and End Abuse Long Beach, have banded together to support the upcoming candlelight vigil and walk.

"Every victim of abuse thinks they are alone," Cohen said. "They think there is so much shame and humiliation that comes with it. They don’t want to tell anybody. They think nobody can help them."

Karina (last name withheld for safety reasons), a participant in last year’s candlelight vigil and walk, was one of those victims. She had been in an abusive relationship with her ex-husband for about six years. She said she hid the abuse, refusing to talk to anyone about her situation.

"I’m afraid of how I feel," she said. "I don’t want to talk to other people because it’s something personal."

Upon the advice of a friend, however, Karina sought help at the WomenShelter. There, she worked with counselors and eventually was able to open up and share her story in group sessions.

Now, Karina is married to a man who listens to her and encourages her to attend group therapy. She’s also taking classes at Long Beach City College in the hopes of becoming a police officer.

The candlelight vigil and walk, which will occur during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at The Promenade and East First Street. Several hundred people are expected to attend.

For details about the event or services offered at Women-Shelter, visitwww.womenshelterlb.com. The WomenShelter’s 24-hour hotline is 437-4663.

To find out more about End Abuse Long Beach, go towww.endabuselb.org.

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