Board of Supervisors Move to Expand Gender-Based Violence Prevention Services in LA County

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisors Mitchell and Horvath’s motion for an initial allocation of $2.2 million from the Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention to pilot gender-based violence (GBV) prevention services. The funds will support partnerships with community-based organizations to provide prevention services, help create a centralized hub for data and resources, and inform future funding to strengthen the County’s existing infrastructure for responding to GBV.

 

“Gender-based violence takes many forms and affects far too many lives. Expanding preventive strategies and resources, in addition to intervention, is necessary to create lasting change. I look forward to seeing how this pilot – informed by the diverse lived experiences of survivors – will shape the County’s long-term strategies and services to help put an end to this pervasive form of violence,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

“Los Angeles County is moving from a framework of intervention to one of proactive prevention to address the root causes of gender-based violence,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “This focus will fill gaps in critical services—including education focused on our LGBTQ+ communities and young people. By centering the experiences and perspectives of survivors, we are fostering stronger, more resilient communities where everyone can live free from harm.”

Gender-based violence includes, but is not limited to, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, cyber abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault and exploitation, stalking, trafficking, and homophobic and transphobic abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In LA County, 11% of adults have reported physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, which is an estimated 878,000 people countywide.

This funding builds on the Department of Public Health’s existing Domestic Violence intervention and response services, addressing a critical need for prevention services in four key areas: Healthy Relationship Education and Training, Engaging Men and Boys, Innovative Programs to Engage LGBTQ+ Youth, and Economic Empowerment Strategies for Girls.

“Public Health believes that preventing and responding to gender-based violence is a matter of human rights, justice, and equity,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “In Los Angeles County, gender-based violence impacts hundreds of thousands of people. This $2.2 million investment will promote efforts that reduce gender-based violence and improve access to services and safety, particularly for the most marginalized groups. The funding will support a comprehensive approach to prevention and strengthen our ability to scale what works, enhance our partnerships, and build capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. We are deeply grateful to the Board of Supervisors for their leadership and commitment to prioritizing prevention efforts that will help build safer, healthier communities for all.”

Data will be collected throughout the 15-month pilot phase to assess outcomes and inform future funding decisions and a comprehensive report on the effectiveness of these prevention strategies will be shared, with particular attention on examining disparities using the County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative’s equity analysis tool.