The impact of domestic violence on society is far-reaching and often under-reported. Victims of violence may feel shame or are compelled to remain silent, making it easy to ignore and difficult to discuss.

• Domestic Violence affects more than 12 million people each year.

• 36% of women and 29% of men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

• Between 30 and 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household.

• The United States Federal Government spends $55 billion per year to address the effects of childhood exposure to domestic violence.

VNC works to change the attitudes and behaviors that can lead to domestic violence by supporting a network of organizations dedicated to addressing this critical issue. These agencies offer counseling, education, and training to families and domestic partners residing in Los Angeles County with the ultimate goal of stopping domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Prevention Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
CDC — Violence Prevention Resources
Family Violence Prevention & Services Resource Centers
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence / VAWnet

Failure to Protect

Many Domestic Violence Prevention agencies in Los Angeles report they provide legal and/or supportive services to Domestic Violence survivors who have either been charged with or threatened to be charged with failure to protect. A failure to protect charge can be levied against someone who is aware of child abuse, knows the identity of the abuser, but fails to report it to law enforcement. A charge of failure to protect does not take into account that a parent or guardian may remain silent if they themselves are victims of the same abuser.

VNC has partnered with UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families to better understand the intersection of child welfare and domestic violence, and the risk to children living in homes where domestic violence is present.

For victims facing domestic violence the decision to reach out for help, and the ensuing threat or actual loss of their children, can be emotionally devastating for both the parent and the child. Many children caught in this situation will then find themselves in foster care for domestic violence because of an assumed risk of harm. Indeed, holding a victim responsible for the violent and criminal conduct of their partner perpetuates the belief that allegedly helpful government services are not protective, but punitive, and the threat of being charged with failure to protect can lead to increased isolation, distrust and danger for both parent and child.

Through this research with UCLA Pritzker Center, we are learning whether removing a child or threatening to remove them from a non-offending parent and victim of domestic violence is protective, or if it creates a long-term risk of harm. Simply put, we want to know if our present system is breaking the intergenerational cycle of violence or perpetuating it. We also want to assess what options, beyond removal, exist. By bringing together public and private stakeholders, researchers and experts — and addressing this issue as a public health issue — we are able to analyze policy, practice and consequence, and develop systemic recommendations that promote well-being and healing for families.

Read the Child Welfare and Domestic Violence Report here

To view the 4-part online series Exploring Child Welfare and Domestic Violence click here:

Health Care & DV

Engaging Men & Fathers

K-12 Education & DV

Housing & DV

Employer of Choice

An Employer of Choice (EOC) is a company or organization that intentionally creates a culture where employees feel valued, appreciated, and can enjoy their work while cultivating a sense of community within their organization and the populations they serve. The idea to hold a learning symposium for VNC’s grantees on how they can become an EOC came about after a brainstorming session between the VNC Board of Trustees and the leadership of Executive Service Corps of Southern California (ESC).

ESC designed and ran the one-day event with a focus on staff development, human resources and infrastructure. Based on participant and funder feedback, the symposium was an overall success. Attendees left with a better understanding of how organizational culture contributes to being an EOC, and identified areas in which they could improve. In an effort to continue to support their grantees as an EOC, additional symposiums and projects focused on strategic planning, organizational development, leadership training, and branding and communication are currently being considered.