October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and Lassen Family Services, the sole provider of abuse focused prevention, intervention treatment and victim support services in Lassen County, will hold a special wreath laying ceremony this morning to honor the memory of Deputy Larry Griffith, Officer Robert McElrath and all law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line to protect victims of crime and their commitment to ending domestic violence in our community.
The annual ceremony will be held at the Susanville Police Department, 1801 Main Street, from 11:00a.m. to 12:00 today, October 18th, and the public is welcome to attend.
The Honor Guard will present the colors and refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
According to Lassen Family Services 40% of California women will experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In 2012 LFS provided services to 1 out of 48 residents in Lassen County, over 208 of those helped were victims of domestic violence.
During the month of October purple ribbons have been displayed at local businesses and community agencies to commemorate, acknowledge and bring awareness to the problem of domestic violence.
Lassen Family Services is encouraging domestic violence survivors to come forward by taking a picture with one of the purple ribbons and submitting their personal story of victory for posting on the LFS website.
“Breaking the silence,” says Executive Director Melissa Downing, “will provide inspiration and hope to victims by letting them know they are not alone.”
A clothesline project display, featuring t-shirts created by survivors of domestic violence, is being shown throughout October at Susanville Supermarket. These shirts depict their stories, their pain and their hope.
Lassen Family Services is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1979 and relying completely on federal, state, and foundation grants and public donations to provide a lengthy list of free services to the community; domestic violence and sexual assault rape crisis counseling/intervention, emergency shelter and transitional housing, 24-Hour Crisis Line, sexual assault response team, Court Appointed Special Advocates program, Child Abuse Treatment program, legal assistance/court advocacy, parent education, prevention education, law enforcement and hospital accompaniment, emergency food and clothing, emergency and non-emergency transportation and community referrals.
Lassen Family Services is committed to ending abuse in our community through prevention, healing, advocacy, safety and education through compassionate intervention and effective partnerships with local community and social service agencies that will support the victim’s journey to empowerment.
“Please support our efforts in ending abuse in our community by educating yourself and others,” asks Downing, “by helping a friend who is being abused, speaking up about abuse, acting as an engaged bystander, getting involved in community efforts or donating to Lassen Family Services. Together we can end abuse.”
You can visit Lassen Family Services’ website at www.lassenfamilyservices.org or on Facebook to stay informed of the organization’s ongoing efforts to end abuse.
For more information call Michelle at Lassen Family Services, 530.257.4599, ext. 1225.
