The San Diego Family Justice Center:
A Year of Experience and Intervention
By Amy Carney, NP
 SINCE OPENING ITS DOORS on Oct. 10,
2002, the Family Justice Center (FJC) has assisted more than 5,200 victims and
family members in obtaining the care and services they need, and has received
more than 17,000 telephone calls.
The concept for the Family Justice Center is unique: Bring the
multiple services needed by victims of violence together under one roof,
streamlining access and simplifying the process for them. The goal of the FJC is
to reduce to zero the number of domestic violence homicides in San Diego. Prior
to the opening of the FJC, victims had to visit up to 32 different agencies and
locations in order to obtain help. Today, all that has changed. The FJC pulls these agencies together as community partners,
offering a secure and confidential approach to interpersonal violence
intervention.
Julie is just one of the victims helped by the Family Justice
Center. Beaten by her same-sex partner and thrown out of their
apartment, Julie came to the FJC for help with little more than the clothes she
had on. She needed shelter, medical care and a restraining order. Her injuries
had been inflicted with a belt and a wire coat hanger; she had no medical
provider and nowhere to go. At the FJC her injuries were assessed and
photographed; she was able to talk to the detective assigned to her case; she
was able to get into a shelter. She was able to talk to a chaplain and make an
appointment to get legal help, all in one location.
 Housed in downtown San Diego, the FJC is close to courts,
shelters, and public transportation. Services are provided on three floors of a centrally located
office building. The Community floor welcomes the client to a comfortable
hospitality area, with an adjacent supervised playroom for children. In a
private interview room, specially trained volunteers provide support and
evaluate the client’s needs. The Center for Community Solutions offers a restraining order
clinic with a ‘fax file’ system; by filing with the court by fax machine the victim doesn’t
need to appear before a judge in order to rapidly obtain a temporary restraining
order. Travelers Aid assists victims with transportation and
re-location.
Also on site is the Forensic Medical Unit (FMU), assessing and
documenting injuries sustained during domestic violence incidents. This unit
makes available a private examination area for evaluation of injuries and
forensic photography in a supportive setting. Now in phase one of development,
adult clients are examined and assessed to be certain every injury is
documented. To preserve chain of custody, photos are turned over directly
to the detective handling the case. Basic medical care is provided for the
client, and referrals are made for primary care, mental health counseling, and
children’s health. With the collaboration of the University of California San
Diego Medical Center, a Pilot Offsite Family Clinic (POFC) is available for
follow-up care. In phase two, documentation and management for victims of elder
abuse, child abuse, and sexual assault will be offered. The FMU is staffed by a
physician and a forensic nurse practitioner, and supports research and training
for professionals in the domestic violence field.
The Domestic Violence Unit of the San Diego Police Department
is housed one floor down from the Community floor. The detectives in this unit
are present to review with the victim the events that took place and assist them
in the steps of the investigative process. The victim gains an understanding of
what will happen to their assailant during the phases of arrest and prosecution,
and learns how the detectives will use the information they’ve collected to
present the case for arraignment.
The final floor of the FJC is comprised of deputy city
attorneys, representatives of teen court, probation, and victim advocates. Helping the client work through the crisis of a domestic
violence incident, making a safety plan, and preparing for court are important
aspects of the healing process. Knowledge of this process, and of all the
available resources, empowers the client toward a positive outcome.
Funding for the FJC has come from many community, state, and
national sources. Diane Stewart, director of the Department of Justice Office on
Violence Against Women awarded the center $300,000, and President Bush hailed
the FJC as setting a standard for the nation. Funding has also been received from the California Endowment,
the California Wellness Foundation, the Waitt Family Foundation, and local
businesses. Continuing support from the San Diego City Council, The Family
Justice Center Foundation, and many volunteers keeps the FJC growing and
planning for the future. In phase one, support and care for the victims of domestic
violence and their families is being realized. In phase two, care for victims of
elder abuse and child abuse will be added, as well as care for victims of sexual
assault. Planning has started for regional centers around San Diego, and in
October 2003, President Bush recognized the FJC as the national model for 12
family justice centers across the country.
Bringing together experts at both local and national levels
results in state of the art application and information, resulting in
collaboration on behalf of the victim. Looking to the future, the San Diego FJC
seeks to provide encouragement and support to communities in providing the same
level of assistance and justice with families and friends and break the cycle of
violence for victims.
Amy Carney, NP, is the assistant
medical director of the Forensic Medical Unit at the San Diego Family Justice
Center.
She is SANE-A certified.
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