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# October is dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/october-is-dedicated-to-raising-awareness-of-domestic-violence/
- Published: 2005-10-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:56:05.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Mid-City, #archive-import

*October is dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence*

*By Daily Press staff*

MID-CITY — A fresh start on life often requires a fresh look.

And that’s exactly what two area women got on Tuesday — a new look to complement a new life.

The women — both victims of domestic violence and clients of Sojourn, a local battered women’s shelter — received makeovers from hair and make-up artists, courtesy of Cynthia Nixon, who played Miranda on HBO’s “Sex in the City.”

Marshalls clothing store provided the attire.

In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the women spent the day at Sojourn, relaxing and getting makeovers. Judith and Vhalia, who preferred to use only their first names, have lived through life-changing encounters with domestic violence. Judith helped put her abuser behind bars, and Vhalia lost her daughter at the hands of a domestic violence perpetrator.

Established in 1977, Sojourn provides battered women and their children a safe space to regroup, rebuild and reestablish their self-esteem and lives. The shelter’s programs serve women and children of all classes, cultures and religions, regardless of economic circumstances, physical and mental disabilities, or immigration status. This includes those who are traditionally underserved, such as lesbians, elderly women, prostitutes, women with HIV and the substance-dependent.

To raise awareness and funding for domestic violence prevention, Marshalls on Friday, Oct. 14, is donating 1 percent of all sales to The Family Violence Prevention Fund as part of its “Shop ’Til It Stops” program.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/101205-02_01.jpg)

(Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 12, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/101205.pdf?ref=smdp.com)