From a strong police presence on campus, to resources on and off campus, LBCC has dedicated more time, energy and resources to educate and protect students against domestic violence.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point during their lifetime.
The annual security report for LBCC, known as the Clery report, showed crime statistics from 2014-2018, and indicated three separate cases of domestic violence in 2016, two cases in 2018, along with one case of dating violence in 2014.
Lt. Omar Martinez, representative of the Long Beach Police Department for LBCC, spoke about domestic violence as a crime, and the Clery statistics during an interview on March 11.
The Clery report included cases of domestic violence that occurred outside of the X-building at LAC, between a mother and her child’s father, as well as a case within LBCC’s jurisdiction on the intersection of Carson Street and Clark Avenue, amongst other cases, according to Lt. Omar Martinez.
“When it comes to domestic violence, it has to do with the relationship between the two parties involved. It can be between two spouses, former spouses, and it doesn’t matter if they’re male or female, or same-sex relationships or any other gender,” said Martinez.
In order to prosecute abuse as domestic violence, or a 273.5 (f) as it is known in California, “The crime can’t just be yelling or psychological abuse, although that can very well be a part of it, but it has to include some form of physical violence, with or without injury,” Martinez said.
The level of abuse and crime can also vary and be prosecuted differently, according to Martinez.
Abuse can range from misdemeanor, simple battery that involves simple touching or to felony crimes that involve assault with a deadly weapon, and everywhere in between according to Martinez.
Cases of domestic abuse will either be handled by city prosecutors, who process some crimes, but not felonies, or by the district attorney’s office of Long Beach, who handle larger felony crimes.
In addition, domestic violence cases are handled with more urgency than other misdemeanor or felony cases, according to Martinez.
“Domestic violence doesn’t have to be witnessed like other misdemeanors. If someone saw it, even if it wasn’t a police officer, we can still arrest [the accused],” said Martinez.
According to Martinez, one of the best resources for students on campus against domestic abuse is the Title IX Coordinator.
Dr. Alisia Kirkwood, deputy coordinator of the Title IX program at LBCC, spoke about the role of the Title IX coordinator during an interview on March 12.
“Currently, the Title IX coordinator for students at LBCC is Dr. Kirsten Olson, the associate Vice President of Human Resources. Students can contact her on the LBCC website, or even myself directly at the Title IX office on campus,” Kirkwood said, in regards to reporting not only domestic abuse, stalking with threats and intimidation, but also sexual harassment and assault cases.
Victims of domestic abuse can also contact the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach and Su Casa in Long Beach for additional help and resources, in addition to Title IX coordinators, campus police and mental health resources on campus for trauma.
Alexis Sandoval, outreach coordinator for the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach, spoke about the role of the WSLB on and off campus.
“Staff members come to LBCC mostly for educational outreach. We do seminars and classes that teach about healthy relationships, and what that exactly looks like, and at Cal State Long Beach and Cerritos College we have a CCRT,” Sandoval said.
The CCRT, or coordinated community review team, are advisory teams that adhere to Title IX regulations and are part of almost every community college and college nationwide, according to Sandoval.
The team uses a collaborative approach to prevent not only dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual violence, but also through overseeing the implementation of education, prevention, and awareness programs.
The CCRT is also responsible for gathering statistics of domestic violence and examining possible additional resources that might be needed at a specific college.
Though there is currently no response team at LBCC, Sandoval said, “The WSLB is definitely a resource. We want students to know we’re available, and if faculty needs referrals, we could be a resource for them or for students.”
Dean Lockwood, Director of Development and Community Outreach for Su Casa, spoke about the role of Su Casa at LBCC.
“At LBCC we provide students with basic health services, but if someone is experiencing abuse, we can provide counselors, legal advice, and a shelter program for emergency escapes,” Lockwood said.
In addition, Su Casa also provides LBCC students a 24/7 domestic abuse hotline to call at (562) 402-4888.
The biggest goal for LBCC, according to both Martinez and Kirkwood, is education about healthy relationships and breaking the cycle of domestic abuse.
“Some people can be in an abusive relationship, but due to their circumstances growing up there’s a sense of normalcy to it. Sometimes the toughest part is walking away, and making a decision to say it’s not OK I’m being treated this way and I’m going to make a change,” Martinez said.
Better outreach programs on and off campus, increased crack-downs on domestic violence and the Title IX coordinator all provide resources and healing for victims of domestic violence and continue to make a difference for students at LBCC.