Charity Gala Supporting Victims Of Domestic Violence Hosted In Downtown LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A celebrity-filled charity gala was hosted by the Face Forward Foundation Saturday evening to help support victims of domestic violence.
This high-profile event was held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, where a silent auction and honorary awards ceremony was held in an effort to raise over $500,000 in support of victims.
KCAL9's Laurie Perez spoke with celebrities at the gala who addressed recent domestic violence cases that have occurred in the entertainment industry.
The annual gala was held during a time in light of recent media coverage of pro-athletes and celebrities involved in domestic violence.
Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who allegedly attacked his ex-fiancee Shantal Jackson in 2011, fought against Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas, Nevada Saturday night.
Jackson attended the charity gala with her attorney Gloria Allred.
"He's fighting for millions of dollars tonight in Las Vegas, that's what Mayweather is doing," Allred said. "We're here fighting for the right of women to be free from violence against them."
Last week, a video was leaked to the media of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then fiancee in an Atlantic City casino elevator that raised controversy.
Rice was released by the Ravens and suspended from the NFL indefinitely as a result of his actions.
"I'm amazed at the level of adulatory we have for sports athletes and stars and what people get away with because they are either popular or powerful," said Survivor Host Jeff Probst.
Face Forward has offered free reconstruction surgeries for thousands of women and children who have been burned and or disfigured by domestic abuse since 2007.
The foundation's intention is to help victims heal physically and emotionally.
Adult film star Christy Mack told Perez she has had a couple of cosmetic things done already in response to her fight with mixed martial arts fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver known as War Machine.
"I don't think they should be treated any differently than any other person," said Sugar Shane Mosley, a retired boxer. "They shouldn't put their hands on another person, they shouldn't hit another person."
According to officials, the foundation also works to help their patients to start a new life and be able to reclaim their confidence that was lost during the unfortunate abuse.
Victor Ortiz assisted the foundation to reveal their new campaign theme. Members of the foundation revealed a new series of ads featuring pro-athletes and other artists will soon be released, all with a tag-line reading "Real men don't hit."
