Leslie Painter (left), director of the Lighthouse for Women and Children, chats with residents at the Lighthouse Life Recovery Program home.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

It might surprise you to hear that in Ventura County alone, there were about 7,000 domestic violence allegations made in 2020, according to the Ventura County Family Justice Center. Domestic Violence is a massive problem in our area that often goes unnoticed and unreported.

The violence often includes physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse of women and children. These are usually issues that come with shame, isolation, and secrecy. Often DV goes unreported due to fear of the partner, and worry surrounding the children’s removal from the home.

Here at the Lighthouse for Women and Children, we want to support women while they heal and get back a sense of normalcy. We provide long-term programming, resources, counseling, case management, survivor support groups, vocational training, workforce development, Bible studies, educational opportunities, and most of all, a safe place to heal from trauma.

In the last year, through our programs and shelter, we were able to help 146 women and children coming out of domestic violence.

If you know someone who might be in a Domestic Violence situation, here are some things you can do.

Listen: Victims want to be heard and seen without shame or condemnation. Let them know you are there for them if needed.

Give them resources: Call the Lighthouse at 805-385-2700 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Please reach out if you’d like to partner with us to bring hope and a bright future to those affected by abuse.