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LA Launches Campaign To Spur Abuse Reporting During Coronavirus
L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer (left) and DA Jackie Lacey (right). (Screenshot of LA Cityview 35 live stream)
L.A.’s top prosecutors launched a campaign Friday to spur people to come forward about domestic abuse that may be going unreported with so many stuck at home.
In the month since the stay-at-home order, there’s been a 47% drop in reported physical child abuse, said City Attorney Mike Feuer. The worry is that the abuse hasn’t stopped; it’s just not being flagged since so many kids are away from teachers and others who are required to report the signs.
“I am very alarmed at what appears to be a dramatic decrease in reporting of crimes relating to our most vulnerable,” Feuer said.
The city attorney is also concerned that adults in violent relationships are struggling to report crimes since they might be stuck at home with their abusers. What’s more he said, with many nursing homes shut off to visiting family members, there’s been a 50% decrease in reports of elder abuse.
So L.A. is partnering with the California Grocers Association to post flyers in English and Spanish in stores that include hotline numbers and where to go for legal help. LAUSD will also have the information at its grab-and-go food centers.
L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said she’s calling on the entire community to report suspected abuse. “Better you call and be wrong than you not call and find out later you could have saved someone’s life,” she said.
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GO DEEPER:
- Domestic Violence May Be On The Rise In LA During The Coronavirus Pandemic
- Big Drop In Child Abuse Reports In LA — And That Has Advocates Worried
Here's the English-language flyer:
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