Activism

California State Gov and Advocacy Orgs Are Empowering Domestic Abuse Survivors on Path to Healing

In California, about 42.5% of Black women have experienced some form of IPV, compared to 34.9% of all women in the state, according to a Blue Shield of California Foundation report. This abuse can be physical, psychological, financial, sexual emotional.. Even after the abuse ends, some survivors experience physical health issues like chronic pain, stomach issues, heart disease and diabetes, as well as mental health issues like eating disorders, headaches, and insomnia. Guns and gender violence are a particularly dangerous combination for Black women.

Published

6 months ago

December 23, 2024

Oakland Post

Edward Henderson | California Black Media

California native Sheilah Kimble says she was far from home, living in Buffalo, NY, when her partner became physically and verbally abusive.

“There were several occasions when I reached out to different agencies to assist me with my situation,” remembers Kimble, who is from South Los Angeles County. “I felt nobody wanted to help. Nobody gave me advice because I was from a marginalized community. I was not aware of any resources, so I thought they were limited.”

Kimble says her 5-month-old daughter would sometimes witness the abuse and hide behind her crib, cowering in fear.

Despite the harm to her, her daughter and son, it was hard for Kimble to gain the strength to leave.

“They call that trauma-bonding. It’s unhealthy,” said Kimble.

As the violence in her home escalated, law enforcement got involved and social services threatened to take her son away.

“A social worker would come by and ask certain questions. Being in an abusive relationship, you pretty much are controlled and coached. So, I was afraid to say certain things,” Kimble continued.

Eventually, the social worker helped Kimble find a shelter and connected her with the resources she needed to get back to her family in California.

Like Kimble, victims of domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) often struggle to find a way out and, often, they must consider the safety of not just themselves — but that of their children as well.

In California, about 42.5% of Black women have experienced some form of IPV, compared to 34.9% of all women in the state, according to a Blue Shield of California Foundation report. This abuse can be physical, psychological, financial, sexual emotional.. Even after the abuse ends, some survivors experience physical health issues like chronic pain, stomach issues, heart disease and diabetes, as well as mental health issues like eating disorders, headaches, and insomnia. Guns and gender violence are a particularly dangerous combination for Black women.

According to the California Black Women’s Health Project, DV is the number one health issue Black women in California face.

To address the alarming rates of DV and IPV in the state –and the disproportionate rate of incidents in African American communities — the State of California and advocacy organizations across the state are wrapping their arms around victims, providing them resources and taking a number of policy actions to address the problem.

“Domestic violence continues to disproportionately impact women, leaving many survivors trapped in cycles of abuse with limited resources to escape. This burden is not just felt in broken bodies and hearts, but in economic devastation that undermines women’s independence and security,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom in a statement earlier this year.

In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of eight laws to protect victims of DV. Those laws address the following issues:

Created a new victim restitution fund for survivors of domestic abuse and other crimes

Expanded access to restraining orders and streamlined the process of obtaining them

Established a partnership with car manufacturers to prevent victim tracking; equipped investigators with more tools to prevent cases from being improperly classified as homicides

Increased public awareness about financial abuse and provided resources to help victims exit violent domestic situations

Lenore A. Tate, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist/Professional Consultant
Dr. Lenore Tate is a licensed psychologist based in the Bay Area who has been an expert in trauma-informed care for over 30 years. She believes the first step in overcoming domestic violence is recognizing that you are in an abusive relationship.

Dr. Lenore Tate is a licensed psychologist based in the Bay Area who has been an expert in trauma-informed care for over 30 years. She believes the first step in overcoming domestic violence is recognizing that you are in an abusive relationship.

“Historically, in our Black families, speaking about domestic violence has been taboo. So, to reach out for help also adds an extra layer of emotional trauma shame and remorse,” said Tate.

To recognize a domestic violence situation, Tate notes that there are at least 8 categories to consider.

“Physical abuse is obviously one,” Tate says.

“But there are also a number of other categories,” she continued, “such as intimidation, coercion, fiduciary or economic abuse, economic control, the way one abuses his or her authority, using loved ones to control the relationship, minimizing and denying and or blaming others, and of course social isolation, keeping that person away from their family. And lastly, verbal attacks.”

Across California, there are many organizations providing resources to individuals to help them escape and heal from domestic violence situations.

Christoper Negri is the Associate Director of Public Policy Strategies for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (The Partnership). The organization represents a vast network of service providers throughout the state.

“We exist to represent the folks who are doing this work in community. Our member programs will provide shelter, they’ll provide legal representation to survivors, they’ll provide counseling services, many different types of services and support to domestic violence survivors. We as a partnership, representing them, we provide training and technical assistance to them. We provide a voice in institutions of power.”

With the help from service providers like those represented by The Partnership, Kimble and her family have made significant progress on their road to recovery. She is now a published author, screenwriter and playwright. She also started her own non-profit committed to aiding other survivors named in honor of her son called The Arthur Lee Ducantell II Foundation.

“That’s part of my healing, to be able to share,” Kimble said. To help others. I believe in a relationship with God. And I think that He put me in that position to be able to teach batterers.”

If you or someone you know in California is experiencing domestic violence, call 1-800-799-7233, visit the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence at CPEDV.org, search this database at FindaHelpline.com for organizations serving your area, or use this map to find resources near you.

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Juneteenth: Celebrating Our History, Honoring Our Shared Spaces

It’s been empowering to watch Juneteenth blossom into a widely celebrated holiday, filled with vibrant outdoor events like cookouts, festivals, parades, and more. It’s inspiring to see the community embrace our history—showing up in droves to celebrate freedom, a freedom delayed for some enslaved Americans more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Published

15 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Wayne Wilson, Public Affairs Campaign Manager, Caltrans

By Wayne Wilson, Public Affairs Campaign Manager, Caltrans

Juneteenth marks an important moment in our shared history—a time to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors who, even in the face of injustice, chose freedom, unity, and community over fear, anger, and hopelessness. We honor their resilience and the paths they paved so future generations can continue to walk with pride.

As we head into the weekend full of festivities and summer celebrations, I want to offer a friendly reminder about who is not invited to the cookout: litter.

At Clean California, we believe the places where we gather—parks, parade routes, street corners, and church lots—should reflect the pride and beauty of the people who fill them. Our mission is to restore and beautify public spaces, transforming areas impacted by trash and neglect into spaces that reflect the strength and spirit of the communities who use them.

Too often, after the music fades and the grills cool, our public spaces are left littered with trash. Just as our ancestors took pride in their communities, we honor their legacy when we clean up after ourselves, teach our children to do the same, and care for our shared spaces.

Small acts can inspire big change. Since 2021, Clean California and its partners have collected and removed over 2.9 million cubic yards of litter. We did this by partnering with local nonprofits and community organizations to organize grassroots cleanup events and beautification projects across California.

Now, we invite all California communities to continue the incredible momentum and take the pledge toward building a cleaner community through our Clean California Community Designation Program. This recognizes cities and neighborhoods committed to long-term cleanliness and civic pride.

This Juneteenth, let’s not only celebrate our history—but also contribute to its legacy. By picking up after ourselves and by leaving no litter behind after celebrations, we have an opportunity to honor our past and shape a cleaner, safer, more vibrant future.

Visit CleanCA.com to learn more about Clean California.

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OPINION: California’s Legislature Has the Wrong Prescription for the Affordability Crisis — Gov. Newsom’s Plan Hits the Mark

Last month, Gov. Newsom included measures in his budget that would encourage greater transparency, accountability, and affordability across the prescription drug supply chain. His plan would deliver real relief to struggling Californians. It would also help expose the hidden markups and practices by big drug companies that push the prices of prescription drugs higher and higher. The legislature should follow the Governor’s lead and embrace sensible, fair regulations that will not raise the cost of medications.

Published

15 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook. Courtesy of Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook.

By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

As a pastor and East Bay resident, I see firsthand how my community struggles with the rising cost of everyday living. A fellow pastor in Oakland recently told me he cuts his pills in half to make them last longer because of the crushing costs of drugs.

Meanwhile, community members are contending with skyrocketing grocery prices and a lack of affordable healthcare options, while businesses are being forced to close their doors.

Our community is hurting. Things have to change.

The most pressing issue that demands our leaders’ attention is rising healthcare costs, and particularly the rising cost of medications. Annual prescription drug costs in California have spiked by nearly 50% since 2018, from $9.1 billion to $13.6 billion.

Some lawmakers, however, have advanced legislation that would drive up healthcare costs and set communities like mine back further.

I’m particularly concerned with Senate Bill (SB) 41, sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), a carbon copy of a 2024 bill that I strongly opposed and Gov. Newsom rightly vetoed. This bill would impose significant healthcare costs on patients, small businesses, and working families, while allowing big drug companies to increase their profits.

SB 41 would impose a new $10.05 pharmacy fee for every prescription filled in California. This new fee, which would apply to millions of Californians, is roughly five times higher than the current average of $2.

For example, a Bay Area family with five monthly prescriptions would be forced to shoulder about $500 more in annual health costs. If a small business covers 25 employees, each with four prescription fills per month (the national average), that would add nearly $10,000 per year in health care costs.

This bill would also restrict how health plan sponsors — like employers, unions, state plans, Medicare, and Medicaid — partner with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to negotiate against big drug companies and deliver the lowest possible costs for employees and members. By mandating a flat fee for pharmacy benefit services, this misguided legislation would undercut your health plan’s ability to drive down costs while handing more profits to pharmaceutical manufacturers.

This bill would also endanger patients by eliminating safety requirements for pharmacies that dispense complex and costly specialty medications. Additionally, it would restrict home delivery for prescriptions, a convenient and affordable service that many families rely on.

Instead of repeating the same tired plan laid out in the big pharma-backed playbook, lawmakers should embrace Newsom’s transparency-first approach and prioritize our communities.

Let’s urge our state legislators to reject policies like SB 41 that would make a difficult situation even worse for communities like ours.

About the Author

Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.

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Activism

Congress Says Yes to Rep. Simon’s Disability Hiring and Small Biz Support Bill

“As the first congenitally blind person to serve in Congress, I am incredibly honored to lead and excited to celebrate the House passage of the ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act,’” said Simon.

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The House of Representatives unanimously passed the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act” on June 3, marking a major win for U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) and co-sponsor Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) in their bipartisan effort to promote inclusive hiring and boost small business accessibility.

The legislation establishes a federal partnership between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Council on Disability to help small businesses across the U.S. hire more individuals with disabilities and provide resources for disabled entrepreneurs.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of cities, making them accessible for all will maximize local economic activity and broaden the job market to everyone who is seeking to contribute to their communities,” she continued. “Investments in business and talent in our communities shouldn’t be limited to just those who are not disabled. Full stop, period.”

Since taking office in January 2025, Simon has introduced six bills. The House has approved two of them: this measure and the “Assisting Small Businesses, Not Fraudsters Act.”

Simon, a lifelong disability rights advocate and former BART board member, has focused her career on improving access, from public transit to the job market.