One
out of every four women in this country will suffer some kind of violence at
the hands of her husband or boyfriend.
Very few will tell anyone—not a friend, a relative, a neighbor, or the police.
Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life—all cultures, all
income groups, all ages, all religions. They share feelings of helplessness,
isolation, guilt, fear, and shame. All hope it won’t happen again, but often it
does.
Are you abused? Does the person you love . .
o “Track” all of your time?
o Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?
o Discourage your relationships with family and friends?
o Prevent you from working or attending group meetings or school?
o Criticize you for little things?
o Anger easily when drinking alcohol or taking drugs?
o Control all the finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?
o Humiliate you in front of others?
o Destroy personal property or sentimental items?
o Hit, punch, slap, kick, or bite you or the children?
o Use, or threaten to use, a weapon against you?
o Threaten to hurt you or the children?
o Force you to engage in sex against your will?
If you answer “yes” to even a few of these
questions, it’s time to get help!
If you are hurt, what can you do?
There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself:
o Call the police or sheriff. Assault, even by family members, is a crime. The police often have information about shelters and other agencies that help victims of domestic violence.
o Leave, or have someone come stay with you. Go to a battered-woman’s shelter—you can call a crisis hotline in your community, or a health center, to locate a shelter. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, leave immediately!
o Get medical attention from your doctor or a hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.
Don’t ignore the problem!
o Contact your family court for information about a civil protection order that doesn’t involve criminal charges or penalties.
o Talk to someone. Part of the abuser’s power comes from secrecy. Victims are often ashamed to let anyone know about intimate family problems. Go to a friend or neighbor, or call a domestic-violence
hotline to talk to a counselor.
o Plan ahead and know what you will do if you are attacked again. If you decide to leave, choose a place to go, and set aside some money. Put important papers together—marriage license, birth certificates, checkbooks, savings account books, social security cards, insurance information—in a place where you can
get them quickly.
o Learn to think independently. Try to plan for the future and set goals
for yourself.
Take a stand!
o Reach out to someone you believe is a victim of family violence, or to someone you think is being abusive. Don’t give up easily—changes take time. Ending the family’s isolation is a critical first step.
o Use organizations and businesses to raise community awareness by hosting speakers on domestic violence, launching public-education campaigns, and raising funds for shelters and hotlines
o Most communities offer resources for victims of family violence. Check your telephone directory or ask a lawenforcement agency.
What is VINE?
VINE is an automated computer program offered for domestic violence crime victims in Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. The purpose of the VINE program is to provide victims of crime continuous access concerning an inmate’s custody status. By calling the VINE number, a victim can determine the custody status of the offender and register to be notified of the release or transfer of the specific inmate.
How does a victim register to be notified?
Victims may register themselves for notification using a touch-tone telephone. After dialing the VINE number, follow the instructions given by the system. You will be asked to give a telephone number and a four-digit PIN number. If you do not have a telephone you may use the telephone number of a relative of friend. Do not use a telephone number that reaches a switchboard.
How will VINE notify a victim?
The VINE system monitors inmate activity in the Los Angeles County Jail System. When an inmate is transferred or released, VINE will automatically react to contact the properly registered victims. Do not be startled if you receive a call from VINE in the middle of the night. VINE will begin calling as soon as new information regarding an inmate is received.
Call 1-877-VINE-4LA (1-877-846-3452)
Follow the directions to enter the inmate's name or booking number using the keypad on your telephone. You will receive immediate information regarding the inmate's status.
NOTE: A victim should NOT depend on the VINE system for his/her safety. If threatened, take precautions as if the inmate were already released.
from LAPD, RadioShack, the National Crime Prevention Council and the National Sheriffs’ Association
Are you abused? Does the person you love . .
o “Track” all of your time?
o Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?
o Discourage your relationships with family and friends?
o Prevent you from working or attending group meetings or school?
o Criticize you for little things?
o Anger easily when drinking alcohol or taking drugs?
o Control all the finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?
o Humiliate you in front of others?
o Destroy personal property or sentimental items?
o Hit, punch, slap, kick, or bite you or the children?
o Use, or threaten to use, a weapon against you?
o Threaten to hurt you or the children?
o Force you to engage in sex against your will?
If you answer “yes” to even a few of these
questions, it’s time to get help!
If you are hurt, what can you do?
There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself:
o Call the police or sheriff. Assault, even by family members, is a crime. The police often have information about shelters and other agencies that help victims of domestic violence.
o Leave, or have someone come stay with you. Go to a battered-woman’s shelter—you can call a crisis hotline in your community, or a health center, to locate a shelter. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, leave immediately!
o Get medical attention from your doctor or a hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.
Don’t ignore the problem!
o Contact your family court for information about a civil protection order that doesn’t involve criminal charges or penalties.
o Talk to someone. Part of the abuser’s power comes from secrecy. Victims are often ashamed to let anyone know about intimate family problems. Go to a friend or neighbor, or call a domestic-violence
hotline to talk to a counselor.
o Plan ahead and know what you will do if you are attacked again. If you decide to leave, choose a place to go, and set aside some money. Put important papers together—marriage license, birth certificates, checkbooks, savings account books, social security cards, insurance information—in a place where you can
get them quickly.
o Learn to think independently. Try to plan for the future and set goals
for yourself.
Take a stand!
o Reach out to someone you believe is a victim of family violence, or to someone you think is being abusive. Don’t give up easily—changes take time. Ending the family’s isolation is a critical first step.
o Use organizations and businesses to raise community awareness by hosting speakers on domestic violence, launching public-education campaigns, and raising funds for shelters and hotlines
o Most communities offer resources for victims of family violence. Check your telephone directory or ask a lawenforcement agency.
What is VINE?
VINE is an automated computer program offered for domestic violence crime victims in Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. The purpose of the VINE program is to provide victims of crime continuous access concerning an inmate’s custody status. By calling the VINE number, a victim can determine the custody status of the offender and register to be notified of the release or transfer of the specific inmate.
How does a victim register to be notified?
Victims may register themselves for notification using a touch-tone telephone. After dialing the VINE number, follow the instructions given by the system. You will be asked to give a telephone number and a four-digit PIN number. If you do not have a telephone you may use the telephone number of a relative of friend. Do not use a telephone number that reaches a switchboard.
How will VINE notify a victim?
The VINE system monitors inmate activity in the Los Angeles County Jail System. When an inmate is transferred or released, VINE will automatically react to contact the properly registered victims. Do not be startled if you receive a call from VINE in the middle of the night. VINE will begin calling as soon as new information regarding an inmate is received.
Call 1-877-VINE-4LA (1-877-846-3452)
Follow the directions to enter the inmate's name or booking number using the keypad on your telephone. You will receive immediate information regarding the inmate's status.
NOTE: A victim should NOT depend on the VINE system for his/her safety. If threatened, take precautions as if the inmate were already released.
from LAPD, RadioShack, the National Crime Prevention Council and the National Sheriffs’ Association
No comments:
Post a Comment