Our mission remains our constant


A Message from Patti Giggans, Executive Director/CEO


The election of Donald Trump is having a huge emotional impact across the country. Half the country is celebrating and the other half is in shock. The threats that were expressed throughout the campaign are now hanging over all of us and may actually come to fruition. 

We remember what the previous Trump administration did to survivors and organizations like ours. Federal funding was slashed and more obstacles to receiving and providing services were put in place. They limited the reach and the impact of the OVW - Office of Violence Against Women - curtailing services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and in particular the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and Native and Indigenous people, among other marginalized groups. The reauthorization of VAWA - Violence Against Women Act - was delayed. The list goes on. 

This electoral result will directly impact our work in the coming years.

What’s important right now as the political landscape evolves is for us to remind ourselves of our commitments and that we support each other and take good care of ourselves and our families. Our community of survivors will need us more than ever. We are resilient and we are committed to our mission. Our mission remains our constant: we are building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal relationships. 

I would like to share what Ramiro Gomez, POV’s Violence Prevention Specialist, said to me that gave me solace. He said,  “The journey may take many paths but the vision and mission of POV remains the same.” Thank you Ramiro for that. 

And I would like to add a quote by Maya Angelou who said “Hope and Fear cannot occupy the same space.  Invite one to stay.”


In solidarity,

—Our vision is a world without violence. Where no child is abused, no wife battered, no friend raped. A world without terror, without threats, without wounds from intentional actions. Where the strong provide for the vulnerable, where the vulnerable become empowered, where every kind of family is safe and secure, and girls and boys and women and men have a fair and equal chance at the pursuit of happiness in a tolerant and talented society.

November is National Gratitude Month, and we’re taking a moment to appreciate the incredible people who make our work possible. From our dedicated staff and volunteers to our generous donors and supporters, Peace Over Violence is built on a foundation of compassion and unwavering commitment. It takes a village to support survivors of violence in their time of greatest need. Thank you for being a part of ours.


Monthly Observances


On November 25th, we join the global community in observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Gender-based violence is not just a personal issue–it is a public health crisis that impacts entire families, communities, and society at large.  In these times of instability, we must protect each other and advocate for change on a local and global scale.


National Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Strength and Resilience


In November, we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by honoring the strength, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities. At POV, we recognize the unique challenges Native survivors face, including disproportionate rates of violence. Native women are over 2x more likely than others to experience sexual violence, often compounded by jurisdictional barriers and systemic neglect. This month and every month we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities and commit to addressing the inequities that perpetuate cycles of violence.


Honoring Veterans and Addressing Sexual Violence in the Military


This Veterans Day, Peace Over Violence recognizes the sacrifices of those who have served our country. It is also an important moment to acknowledge and address the persistent issue of sexual violence within the military. Recent reports reveal that in 2023, 6.8% of women and 1.5% of men in the armed forces experienced sexual assault, with independent reports suggesting the actual rate may be 2-4x higher than official estimates. As we honor veterans, we must also reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors, advocating for justice, and promoting a culture of respect and accountability within all institutions, including the military.


Trans Day of Remembrance: Honoring Lives and Fighting for Justice


On November 20, POV observed Trans Day of Remembrance, a day to honor the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence and hate. In 2023, over 350 trans and gender-diverse people were reported murdered worldwide, with many more incidents likely unreported. Learn more here. Transgender women of color, particularly Black and Latina women, face disproportionately high rates of violence and discrimination. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting transgender survivors, and stand against transphobia in all its forms.

Purple Thursday Staff Appreciation


POV recognized Purple Thursday on October 17th, a national day of awareness for domestic violence survivors, with a special lunch, award ceremony, and appreciations for the hard work of our staff and volunteers. Every day, our case managers, trauma counselors, legal team, prevention experts, and advocates give their all to support and protect survivors in crisis.

DHBD Open House & Wellness Fair


On Tuesday, November 12th, the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind, and Disabilities Coalition (DHBD) hosted an Open House and Wellness Fair at Peace Over Violence's (POV) Metro Headquarters. The DHBD Coalition's mission is to build community among deaf, blind and disabilities-serving agencies to establish and maintain trauma-informed skills to identify sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, and to make appropriate referrals for intervention services when they are needed. This event was an opportunity to reconnect with partners, make new partnerships and engage community members to learn about Peace Over Violence and the DHBD coalition. The event was a great success, and we ended with a call to action to ensure that we stay involved in the coalition so that our clients are met with trauma-informed responses that are accessible and inclusive for all.


Our wellness fair brought small business owners and members of the public together. Some of our vendors were new to POV, others were long-time partners and some were survivors who have become thrivers. We want to give a big thank you to all the vendors that came to share their gifts with us and brought a great variety of wellness items and art.

New Staff

New Advisory Circle Members


Sean Kennedy

Sean Kennedy, Kaplan & Feldman Executive Director of Loyola Law School’s Center for Juvenile Law and Policy, brings extensive expertise in public interest advocacy and justice reform to the Advisory Circle.


Esther Lim

Esther brings over 15 years of experience advocating for criminal justice reform, prisoners’ rights, and the end of mass incarceration. She currently serves as Special Assistant to the LA County District Attorney, shaping policy on public safety and youth justice.

Webinar: Know Your Rights in a Changing Immigration Landscape


December 12, 2024

6-7:30pm PST


No matter who is president, everyone living in the U.S. has certain basic rights under the U.S. Constitution. Undocumented immigrants have these rights, too. In this webinar, we will be addressing Know Your Rights (KYR) basics for the immigration community and discuss additional safety planning for families in the event of escalated ICE raids and enforcement measures.

This webinar will be hosted in English & Spanish. This event provides general legal information only and should not be considered as legal advice. Please consult with an attorney for guidance regarding your specific situation. 

No importa quién sea el presidente, todos quien viven en los EE. UU. tienen ciertos derechos básicos según la Constitución. Los inmigrantes indocumentados también tienen estos derechos. En este seminario, abordaremos los conceptos básicos de Conozca sus derechos (KYR) para la comunidad de inmigrantes y discutiremos la planificación de seguridad adicional para las familias en caso de que se intensifiquen las redadas y las medidas de ICE.

Este seminario se realizará en inglés y español por Zoom. Este evento solo proporciona información legal general y no debe considerarse como asesoramiento legal. Consulte con un abogado para obtener orientación sobre su situación específica.

HOSTED BY

Lizeth Castillo, Managing Attorney; Luke O'Quinn, Prevention Division Manager; Ramiro Gomez, Violence Prevention Specialist

Become a Volunteer


Peace Over Violence encourages caring and compassionate individuals from the diverse communities of LA County to become trauma informed Counselor Advocates working directly with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Upon completion of the 82.5 hour training, you will be part of the Peace Over Violence Intervention Division’s Emergency Response Team, volunteering for either of the following programs: 24-Hour Hotline and Emergency Response Team or Domestic Abuse Response Team.


Training begins Wednesday, January 8th and sessions are held weekly in person at POV Metro Headquarters and on zoom. For more information and to apply, please contact: [email protected]. Application Deadline: December 20th. Follow our Instagram account for an informational IG LIVE on Friday, December 6th at 10:00am.

POV Reads

A ‘gut punch’: Trump’s alleged sexual assault victims and their advocates on his win

by Victoria Bekiempis

Trump’s alleged victims, as well as other victims of sexual abuse, voice disappointment that he was elected again.

Post-Election Reality Check: Tracking Feminist Setbacks, Resilience and Victories

by Rachel Louise Snyder

We call it domestic violence. We call it private violence. Sometimes we call it intimate terrorism. But whatever we call it, we generally do not believe it has anything to do with us. In America, domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime… we have not taken the true measure of this problem

Trump Is Filling His White House With Men Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

by Alanna Vagianos

At least four of Trump’s nominations have been accused of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault and rape.

Bill Threatening Nonprofits Advances in US House—Again

by Isaiah Thompson

The US House of Representatives’ Rules Committee on Monday passed a bill, HR 9495, that, if enacted, would give the US secretary of the treasury the power to strip nonprofits of their tax-exempt status if unilaterally deemed by the Department of the Treasury to be a “terrorist-supporting” organization—a hazy definition that would allow the Trump administration to selectively and arbitrarily target nonprofits viewed as political enemies, critics say. 

National Native American Heritage Month Book 


Where They Last Saw Her

by Marcie R. Rendon

“From the award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear series comes a compelling novel of a Native American woman who learns of the disappearance of one of her own and decides enough is enough… the novel asks searing questions about bystander culture, the reverberations of even one act of crime, and the long-lasting trauma of being considered invisible.”


Shop POV year round!


The POV shop is open for your shopping and gifting needs year round. Winter is coming and we have long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, and hats all ready for you. Don’t forget to check out our buttons, stickers, and tote bags. Now’s a great time to start thinking about holiday gifts and we have you covered. And, it’s never too early to start gearing up for Denim Day. Visit the shop today!


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