Moby's Fight Against Domestic Violence

Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - The 16 million dollar cut to the budget for California's domestic violence shelters resulted in many having to shut down. Others were severely impacted.

Moby has sold millions of records and helped change the face of music with his cool electronica beats.

As a youth, he witnessed domestic violence.

Moby
"My mother was in some very unhappy relationships where there was a lot of abuse."

For Moby, the issue is personal. When he learned that California's domestic violence shelters lost their state funding, he organized a series of concerts to raise money.

Moby
"My heart breaks both for the women who are being sent back to abusive situations and for the people who are working here who have to send women back out onto those streets being in situations that are going to result in horrifying trauma."

Maria Hernandez is grateful. She's worked at a shelter for abused women her entire adult life. For her, too, it's personal. Her mother fled to a shelter after a lifetime of physical abuse.

Maria Hernandez, Coordinator/Rainbow Services
"That moment when we left, we weren't thinking about anything. Just get us to a place where we're not gonna be abused in any other way.... When we got to the shelter it was the best thing that ever happened."

Governor Schwarzenegger's last minute cuts resulted in six shelters closing, and severe staff and service reductions throughout the state.

Aaron McLear, who works for the governor, told FOX 11 News:

"It was never the governor's plan to cut state funding for domestic violence shelters. The legislature handed us a budget that was still a billion dollars in the red and we had to make hard decisions. We are actively looking for creative solutions to reinstate those funds, and we applaud Moby for his efforts."

Nicole Shellcroft, who runs a shelter in Santa Clarita, says she hopes something gives. In the meantime, she's had to turn families away.

Nicole Shellcroft, Exec. Dir./Domestic Violence Shelter
"We've had clients come through our doors who've experienced beatings, strangulation, arson, torture... They've been thown down flights of stairs have their teeth knocked out... Without those services we leave them with no where to go."

Patti Giggans, Exec. Dir./Peace Over Violence
"This is a devastating impact. We're talking about women's lives."

Moby says his concerts are expected to raise $85,000 dollars.

For the people in the trenches of domestic abuse, it's not just about cash. It's also about raising spirits and awareness.

Nicole Shellcroft, Exec. Dir./Domestic Violence Shelter
"I don't think thank you is enough."

Peace over Violence is organizing a rally for Friday, October 23rd at City Hall.

You can also get more information at cpedv.org.