Rep. Chu Holds Press Conference to Culminate Month-Long Domestic Violence Collection Drive

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32) held a press conference culminating her 9th Annual Domestic Violence Collection Drive in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park.  After speaking with local reporters, Rep. Chu released the following statement: 

 

“Domestic violence occurs in every community, to people of all ethnicities and walks of life.  As a State Assemblywoman in 2003, I joined forces with Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park to hold these Domestic Violence Awareness Collection Drives, and for nine years we have been helping victims as they overcome their physical and emotional scars.  This year has been a great success, and I thank Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park and all of our great partners in helping us help those most in need.”

 

 

Throughout her time in public service, Congresswoman Chu has defended and advocated on behalf of domestic violence survivors.  In the California State Assembly, she sponsored legislation protecting the assets of domestic violence survivors after a woman in her district was forced to provide half of her retirement benefits to her abusive husband when she divorced him.  In Congress, she has worked to reauthorize and fully fund the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). She has also pushed to expand VAWA protections for underserved victims of domestic violence, including immigrants, Native Americans and LGBT victims. 

 

Chu’s efforts are driven by the fact that domestic violence presents a significant threat to the American people.  Sixteen people fell victim to domestic violence every minute in 2010.  That amounts to 2.1 million Americans who are physically assaulted by an intimate partner every year.

 

Hundreds of people participated in this year’s collection drive, which garnered 33 gallon bags of donations from cell phones to purses to clothing items.  All proceeds will directly benefit victims of domestic violence in the San Gabriel Valley.