Fund-Raiser to Be Held Saturday for Women’s Shelter

Organizers who hope to open a home in South County for women who have been battered by their husbands or boyfriends will sponsor a major fund-raiser Saturday at which two experts on domestic violence will speak.

The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Crystal Cove Auditorium at UC Irvine. Admission is $15 and all proceeds will benefit the drive to open a new South County shelter.

Known as Laura’s House, the planned family haven is named after a South County woman who died in 1992 under what authorities called suspicious circumstances, although no evidence was found to file charges.

Organizers hope not only to raise money for the shelter but also to educate people on the need for preventing domestic violence.

Saturday’s speakers will be authors Ann Jones and Mildred Pagelow, whose work has dealt extensively with family violence.

“A lot of people know what’s going on” when a woman is being physically abused, said Pagelow, who lives in San Clemente. “But they don’t know what to do. We will give a list of the most important things to do.”

Pagelow suggests that people “not withdraw help” if a woman doesn’t follow suggestions to leave her abuser.

“Understand there is a lot of fear going on inside her,” Pagelow said, “and don’t get tired of extending your hand.”

For information about the fund-raiser, call (714) 364-6636.