Richmond Police Department: Richmond Police Department Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Press release from Richmond Police Department:

Monday, October 18, 2021

-Meeting Takes
Place with Community Partners

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 •
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

This press release was produced by Richmond Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.