Home » Santa Clarita News » Ray Rice Video Prompts Discussion By SCV Domestic Violence Experts

Ray Rice Video Prompts Discussion By SCV Domestic Violence Experts

The news of former NFL player Ray Rice attacking his wife on video has prompted a nationwide discussion about domestic violence, which is an issue everywhere, according to a Santa Clarita Valley expert.

“When anything like this comes to the front, it always just shows that domestic violence happens everywhere, that it happens across all venues and all people,” said Linda Davies, executive director of the SCV Domestic Violence Center. “It’s very important to raise awareness because it happens everywhere and you have to be educated about it.”

The surveillance video shows Rice knocking out his fiance, Janay Palmer — who is now his wife — in an Atlantic City hotel elevator, according to NBC News.


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With the video airing repeatedly on national networks, SCV Domestic Violence Center officials are taking the opportunity to raise awareness in the community and introduce upcoming events, such as the Create a T-Shirt event Sept. 20 and the Purple Walk of Strength 5K in October.

Davies cited research showing that the abuser and the abused often have childhood trauma in common.

“They found each other, they loved each other and the patterns they learned as kids in their homes comes out,” she said. “That’s where the patterns of domestic violence and control come in.”

Domestic violence isn’t just physical abuse, but can be emotional or sexual abuse, as well, she said.

Ray Rice Video Prompts Discussion about Domestic Violence

“I believe that awareness and education has to go at every level: youth and parents and partners involved,” said Ana Figueredo, a domestic violence survivor. “We can pick up that phone and start making that change in our lives.”

Both Figueredo and Davies were at KHTS AM-1220 studio with KHTS show host Alex Urbina, of “Life Leadership on Wednesday.

Figueredo stressed the importance of supporting each other and standing strong together.

“The moment you make that change, there’s resources, support groups… Those things empower us to get out together,” she said. “You feel you’re not the only one in it. Previously you feel isolated, but once you make that change you feel connected with other people and strengthen yourself.”

The Create a T-Shirt event is designed to allow survivors to “break their silence” and express themselves as part of the healing process by decorating a shirt that reflects their personal experience.


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 “People can come in and have a place where they can safely talk about what happened to them and educate people about what’s happening in our community and many others,” Davies said.

The event is set for Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Savia in Newhall, and T-shirts will be placed on display Oct. 1 at College of the Canyons in Valencia.

The third annual Purple Walk of Strength 5K is a fundraising event where participants can wear a white shirt and be “purpled” during the walk or run, all while raising funds and awareness for the SCV Domestic Violence Center.

The walk is scheduled for Oct. 11 at the College of the Canyons track and trails.

For more information or to speak to a trained domestic violence specialist at the SCV Domestic Violence Center, call 661-259-HELP (661-259-4357) or click here.

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Ray Rice Video Prompts Discussion By SCV Domestic Violence Experts

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About Melissa Lampert-Abramovitch

Melissa Lampert-Abramovitch has been writing for KHTS since Feb. 2014. She currently writes “Community Spotlight” and feature stories, and coordinates all aspects of both the”KHTS Adopt a Pet” video feature series and “Top Things to Do in Santa Clarita.” She is the creator of “KHTS Adopt a Pet” and acted as News Editor from 2019-2020, as well as Features Director and Newsroom Manager from 2016-2018. A former Valley Publications Staff Writer, Melissa was a contributor to the Santa Clarita Gazette and Canyon Country Magazine from 2015-2016. She has published feature stories with Pet Me Magazine, The Pet Press, The Signal, COC's Cougar News, and KJAMS Radio.