On April 7, 2020, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley issued a press release underlining the importance of looking after friends, family, and neighbors as reports of domestic violence-related incidents surge globally.
IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE HELP, CALL 911.
Refer to these resources if you live in Santa Barbara County:
District Attorney Victim/Witness Advocate: (805) 568-2400
- Call if you experience or witness Domestic Violence, Spousal Rape, Child Abuse, Elder Abuse or Animal Abuse
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County: (805) 963-6754
- A non-profit law firm that provides free legal assistance to low-income and other vulnerable residents in Santa Barbara County.
Domestic Violence Solutions: 24 Hour Hotline – (805) 964-5245
- Provides safety, shelter and support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
See full Press Release below.
PRESS RELEASE
District Attorney Joyce Dudley, Sheriff Bill Brown, and Fire Chief Mark Hartwig held a joint press conference on public safety today. A video of the entire press conference will soon be available on all three Department websites. (www.countyofsb.org/da/, www.sbsheriff.org, www.sbcfire.com)
District Attorney Joyce Dudley emphasized the importance of coming together as a community to watch out for our most vulnerable. DA Dudley believes people are experiencing elevated levels of in-home abuse: Domestic Violence, Spousal Rape, Child Abuse, Elder Abuse and Animal Abuse and encouraged those victims or witnesses to call 911. In situations where they cannot call 911, she urged them to call a District Attorney Victim/Witness Advocate at 805-568-2400.
The District Attorney also stated that at this time, she believes the above in-home crimes are being grossly under-reported and that vulnerable members of our community’s lives are at stake.
Ms. Dudley emphasized that now, more than ever, family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and even strangers must pay attention and report any concerns they have to their local law enforcement agency. DA Dudley added that community members should not hesitate to call 911 if they SEE, HEAR or SENSE that a vulnerable member of the community needs medical or legal help. Additionally, DA Dudley emphasized how important it is for pharmacists, grocery store personnel, package and mail deliverers and gas station attendants to realize that they may be someone’s only chance of avoiding continuous abuse. Ms. Dudley assured the community that this is local law enforcement agencies countywide highest priority and the only chance they have to respond is if a caring person calls 911.
The attorneys at Drury Pullen, A Professional Law Corporation are available to assist you with your family law needs during these challenging times. Feel free to call us 24/7 at (805) 879-7523 and leave a message if you do not reach a live person. Calls will be returned as they are received. You are also welcome to email us at [email protected]. We remain available to our clients and community with remote services such as court filings, negotiations, mediation and emergency services. Please follow us on Instagram @CaliforniaDivorce and come back to this blog for more information.