November 24, 2009
Anaheim Family Justice Center: Delivering Compassionate Action in 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
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.
