The West Hollywood City Council on Monday approved a partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles and other local social service providers to create a Community Response Team for Domestic Violence.

The goal is to bring domestic violence and social services agencies together, including those that work with the Russian community, youth, seniors and the LGBT community, as well as the city’s public safety office and law enforcement. Together they will build a domestic violence information campaign to help victims who aren’t sure where to turn.

“This is an effort to heighten communication and coordination between service providers who are doing critical and life-saving work,” said Councilmember Abbe Land.

The downturn in the economy has resulted in an increase in domestic violence, according to a national report by the Mary Kay Foundation, which determined that 88 percent of domestic violence shelters expect their overall situation will worsen in 2011. Fifty-one percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide are reporting the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.

In West Hollywood, social service providers have confirmed they are experiencing an increase in cases of domestic violence. Councilmembers Lindsey Horvath and Abbe Land are spearheading the creation of the community response team.

For more information, call Land at (323)848-6460 or Councilmember Lindsey Horvath at (323)848-6543.