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Anaheim Family Justice Center
Delivering Compassionate
Action in Orange County
WSN Network
 ORANGE
COUNTY: At this special time of Thanksgiving, the following words of
Theodore Roosevelt bear repeating: “Let us remember that, as much
has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true
homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows
itself in deeds.” The Anaheim Family Justice Center (AFJC), which
recently celebrated its third anniversary, exemplifies how the
meaning of these words may be demonstrated through deeds of
compassionate action for the good of others.
The AFJC,
located at 150 West Vermont Avenue, is the first of its kind in
Orange County. By compassionately providing effective, coordinated
services and support to people whose lives have been impacted by
child abuse, domestic violence, elder/dependent adult abuse or
sexual assault, AFJC makes a long-term positive impact on the
community. Free services available to every individual who walks
through the door include counseling, court support, law enforcement
assistance, legal aid, emergency housing, safety planning, support
groups, victim compensation, short term childcare, prosecution
assistance, transportation, victim advocacy and spiritual support
referrals. On-site partners include: Anaheim Police Department;
Anaheim City Attorney’s Office; Orange County District Attorney’s
Office; Orange County Social Services; CSP Victim Assistance
Programs; Women’s Transitional Living Center (WTLC); and Chapman
University School of Law (Family Violence Legal Clinic).
It all began
with an innovative concept brought to
Anaheim
by Police Chief John Welter. A multidisciplinary approach would be
used to improve victim safety, interagency communication,
information sharing, collaboration, and cooperation with community
partners. What developed was a shared vision of creating a one-stop
help
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“Can you visualize what it’s like to grow up in a household
where violence in commonplace? We must stop the cycle.” |
center - a safe,
confidential and friendly place of assistance. Through the
leadership and support of the Anaheim City Council, City Manager,
AFJC Foundation and Advisory Board, along with vital community
support, the AFJC became a reality in October 2006. As explained by
Chief Welter: “The responsibility for the prevention of domestic
violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and elder/dependent adult
abuse does not rest with any single individual, group, agency, or
organization. It is a responsibility shared by all of our Community
Members and Partners.”
During the AFJC
third anniversary celebration, Chief Welter stated that half of
Anaheim’s homicides tragically result from domestic issues. “Can you
visualize what it’s like to grow up in a household where violence in
commonplace?” he asked. “We must stop the cycle.” “This center isn’t
just about treating and serving victims,” noted Chief Welter. “It’s
about preventing crime.”
Exact statistics
on how many are victims of domestic violence every year are hard to
come by, largely because most women who experience domestic violence
are reluctant to seek out help, making it an under-reported crime.
Based a survey taken in 2000 by the California Department of Health
Women’s Health Project, about six percent of California’s women
(approximately 700,000) have been victims of domestic violence.
According to the now defunct OC Almanac, there were a total of
12,796 domestic violence-related calls for assistance in Orange
County in 2003. The year before, there had been 12,233 calls, and in
2001 there were 11,896 calls. If those years are any indication,
then, sadly, domestic violence continues to be on the increase in
Orange County.
The AFJC
continues to be a major priority of the Anaheim Police Department.
“As a police organization, we are committed to do as much as
possible to break the cycle of family crime that inevitably then
results in a more violent society,” said Chief Welter. “We seek to
develop a true multidisciplinary approach to the prevention of, and
response to, these serious crimes.”
On a broader
scale, domestic abuse affects us all. Family violence contributes to
many social, educational and health problems in the United States .
We have no idea what the annual cost to the nation is today - which
is all the more reason why we need more facilities like AFJC
delivering compassionate action in Orange County.
25
November 2009
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