Lompoc Locals Spend Valentine’s Day Fighting to End Domestic Violence
LOMPOC, Calif. – Hundreds of locals and politicians spent their Valentine’s Day fighting to stop domestic violence for Lompoc’s 2nd annual One Billion Rising Campaign.
The international event aims to raise awareness to an estimated 1 in 3 women who will be beaten or sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
“That’s across the globe and when you do that statistically, that’s over a billion people,” said Allison Wales, a Therapist for the North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center.
Crowds listened to sexual assault victims share their stories of survival and watched performances by both men and women taking a stand to stop domestic violence.
“I’ve known people who have gone through things like this,” said Katrina Ryker, a student at Cabrillo High Student.
Rep. Lois Capps (D) California, Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo) and a representative from the office of Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) came out in support of the event and gave speeches of their own.
“This is the whole point ,” said Wales. “and that’s through respecting each other and ourselves whether it be male or female.”
