Monday, October 18, 2021

Richmond Police Department Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

-Meeting Takes Place with Community Partners

Delivering Critical Resources to Survivors-

 

Who:     Richmond Police Department collaborating with multiple agencies providing city-wide services to assist survivors of domestic and family violence including; YWCA, Action Alliance, ChildSavers, VCU Project EMPOWER, and the City of Richmond Victim/Witness services

 

What:    RPD Chief Gerald M. Smith will convene a roundtable discussion with key agency partners collaborating with RPD in providing access and connection to services assisting survivors of domestic and other forms of violence. During this conversation, organizations will provide a state-of-the state overview of trends within our community, impacts from COVID, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships.

 

The press conference directly following will highlight how the public can access resources including a 24/7 bilingual hotline, health and legal services, child mental health, resources for LGBTQIA+, victim/witness support and how partners are collaboratively serving our community’s needs.

 

Hear from a domestic violence survivor who now advocates on behalf of all survivors and was supported through critical city resources.

 

When:  10a.m., Monday, October 18, 2021

                10a.m. Roundtable conversation with Chief Smith [photo opportunity]

                10:30a.m. Press Conference outdoors

 

Where:   Byrd Park, 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond

The Round House is at the corner of Lakeview Avenue and Westover Road

Park on Boat Lake Drive

 

Photo Ops:  Partners meeting with Chief of Police

                Survivor turned advocate speaking

                RPD Purple Ribbon patrol vehicles

                Visual list of resources

 

Stats:    

•             1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men experience some form of physical violence by a partner (CDC)

•             Domestic violence is one of the most chronically under-reported crime

•             LGBTQ people have been twice as likely to have experienced an incident of intimate partner violence since the onset of COVID-19 (2020 Human Rights Campaign Foundation report)

•             In 2019, 87% of the domestic violence perpetrators in Virginia were men, and 13% were women. (2019 VAdata report)

If you are experiencing domestic or other violence:

•             If you are in imminent danger, call 9-1-1.

•             Virginia Statewide Hotline: Free. Confidential. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days a year. Call 800-838-8238 or text: 804.793.9999