Violence

Women and girls are the populations most at risk of domestic violence, sexually exploitation as minors, and of teen dating violence. California is also a major destination for human trafficking with the majority of victims being women and children. They are subjected to forced labor or sexual exploitation - modern day slavery, perpetually suffering psychological and physical abuse.

Violence against women has wide-ranging and long-term physical and psychological effects on victims and their children. Women from every culture, race and ethnicity are victims of domestic violence. A few facts:

• The rate of violence is much higher for minority women, especially Native-Americans
• Six percent of California women suffer physical injuries from domestic violence every year
• Women 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, as well as sexual assault
• There is one forcible rape every 56 minutes in California
• Fifty-one percent of sexual assaults are committed against women between 16 and 21 years old

Violence includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse, intimidation and control. It is also a preventable public health issue that requires greater awareness on the part of the medical community. The long-term effects on women and the children who witness violence have incalculable costs to society. Women, who are most often the victims of domestic violence, are ashamed and fearful of reporting abusive incidents. Even so, calls on domestic violence are approximately half of all violent crimes phone calls police departments receive. Law enforcement agencies need better training on the sexual exploitation of teens, teen dating violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Women, girls, service providers and other public agencies need to be more informed about their rights and responsibilities.

For more information on these issues, please see below.

Domestic Violence

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month Toolkit - October 2008 (www.safestate.org) - Safety Planning, Financial and Legal Resources, and other Domestic Violence Prevention Information
• Domestic Violence Handbook: A Survivor's Guide (PDF) - Developed by the California Attorney General's Office, Crime and Violence Prevention Center
• Report - Attorney General's Task Force on Local Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence (www.safestate.org)

Human Trafficking

• Human Trafficking in California (PDF) - A Report of the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force
• Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline: 1-888-373-7888.
• The Campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking (www.acf.hhs.gov)
• Human Trafficking in California Fact Sheet (PDF) - California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force

Sexually Exploited Minors

• Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation in the San Diego Region: A Community Assessment for the ACTION Network (PDF)

Teen Dating Violence

• Teen Dating Violence Resources (www.safestate.org) -
  Developed by the California Attorney General's Office, Crime and Violence Prevention Center
• The Facts on Teenagers and Intimate Partner Violence (PDF) -
  Prepared by the Family Violence Prevention Fun
• California Violence Prevention Resource Directory (www.cdph.ca.gov) - Published by the Violence Prevention Unit of the California Department of Public Health's Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control (EPIC) Branch
• Resource and Referral List for Victims of Hate Crimes - Updated November 2005
• State Advisory Committee (SAC) on Sexual Assault Victim Services

Please visit our violence links/resources section for additional information.