Domestic Violence
What Happens If I Call 911?
A Domestic Violence call receives a level one response from the Long Beach Police Department. That means the call is a top priority and police will respond immediately. When the Police arrive, they will take a statement from you about what happened. If you have visible injuries, they may call for a lab unit to take photographs. They may also take photographs of any damage to your residence. If there is bloody clothing or a weapon in the residence, they may take those items for temporary safekeeping in a property locker.
The Police will ask you whether there are any guns in the residence. If there are any guns, the Police will temporarily take them. The law requires them to do this for the safety of all parties.
If you and your partner are both present, the Police must try to determine who the “primary aggressor” is. They will do this by speaking to you, your partner, and any other family or friends present during the incident. They will consider any visible injuries to you or your partner. Once the primary aggressor has been identified, if the victim has visible injuries, the primary aggressor will be arrested. The law requires police to arrest the primary aggressor if the victim has visible injuries.
When the Police have completed their investigation, a report of the incident may be given to the Los Angeles District Attorney for felony filing, or the Long Beach City Prosecutor for misdemeanor filing. You should be aware that if a case were filed, you would not have the ability to drop the charges if you and your partner reconcile.
Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
Every couple has a disagreement now and then. Every couple argues from time to time. That is not necessarily a sign that you are in a dangerous relationship.
However, if you have felt afraid of your partner during an argument, or if your partner has been violent toward you, you may be a victim of Domestic Violence. If you answer “Yes” to one or more of the following questions, it may be time to seek help:
Does your partner:
• Blame you for his/her anger?
• Have a serious drug or alcohol problem?
• Have a history of violent behavior?
• Threaten you or others regularly?
• Insult you or call you names?
• Have trouble controlling feelings of anger?
• Tell you what to wear, what to do, or how to act?
• Threaten or intimidate you in order to get his/her way?
• Prevent you from spending time with your friends or family?
Help is Available!
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, PLEASE DIAL 911
Also, If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence and need assistance, call The Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-978-3600 or The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 www.thehotline.org
All services are provided free of charge. For local domestic violence counseling, emergency shelter and referrals contact:
- Women Shelter of Long Beach
4201 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 102
Long Beach, CA 90807
24-Hour Crisis Line: (562) 437-HOME
- Interval House
6615 East Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 170
Long Beach, CA 90803
24-Hour Crisis Hotlines: (562) 594-4555 & (714) 891-8121
- Su Casa
3750 E. Anaheim Street, ste 100
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 421-6537 – Office
24-Hour Crisis Line: (562) 402-4888
- 1736 Family Crisis Center
Torrance Community Service Center:
21707 Hawthorne Blvd., Ste. 300
Torrance, CA 90503
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (562) 388-7652
www.1736familycrisiscenter.org
- Rainbow Services
453 West 7th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
24-Hour Helpline: (310) 547-9343
www.rainbowservicesdv.org
- Center For The Pacific Asian Family
24-Hour Hotline: 1 (800) 339-3940
- Peace Over Violence: peaceoverviolence.org
24-Hour Hotline: (310) 392-8381
Specialized Services for the Deaf, Disabled & Elder populations: Video: (213) 785-2684
For legal assistance, you can obtain information from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles:
Domestic Violence/Family Law Clinic
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
275 Magnolia Avenue, Room 1004 (1st Floor)
Long Beach, CA 90802
Family Law Long Beach Office
601 Pacific Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
Telephone: (800) 399-4529
For assistance in completing your own dissolution or custody paperwork, visit the Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Center
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
275 Magnolia Avenue, Room 3101 (3rd Floor)
Long Beach, CA 90802
Telephone: (562) 256-2319
www.lacourt.org/selfhelp/selfhelp.aspx
For assistance in completing your own dissolution or custody paperwork, visit the Los Angeles Superior Court Self Help Family Law Center. (http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/familylaw/)
For help and information about sex offenders, see the Megan’s Law site which lists designated registered sex offenders in California:
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov
If you have given birth within the past three days and know you cannot accept the responsibility of rearing your child in a safe and healthy environment, please remember that the Baby Safe program is available to you. Call the Safely Surrendered Baby Hotline at 1-877-BabySafe (1-877-222-9723). The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals may safely surrender a newborn with no fear of arrest or prosecution as long as the baby has not been abused or neglected. You may call this number for general information about the program. You will be given information about the closest designated hospital emergency room, fire station or other designated safe haven site.
Find more information at http://www.babysafela.org.