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Crystal Judson Family Justice Center Opens
Center
provides multiple resources to victims of domestic
violence.
Tacoma - Pierce County Health
Department:
Dec 14, 2005
Domestic violence victims and their families
no longer must go from office to office or building to building to obtain
services and support. The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (FJC), which
opened Monday, December 12, 2005 offers an array of social service and
government assistance.
The center, funded and operated jointly by Pierce
County and the City of Tacoma, is located in a remodeled former funeral home
basement at 718 Court East, a half block east of Tacoma Avenue South. The site
is within walking distance of the County-City Building.
"I want the FJC
to be a place where victims of domestic violence and their children feel welcome
and safe," said director Susan Adams, a former county deputy prosecuting
attorney. "The center is designed to be a place where our clients can receive
the help they need to make the decisions that are best for themselves and their
children."
Modeled after a San Diego program that features a one-stop
concept, the FJC will bring together under one roof two groups of partners,
community/nongovernmental and criminal justice. Services are free and include
victim advocacy, safety planning, electronic filing for temporary protection
orders, criminal and civil legal services, housing, emergency assistance and
chaplaincy services.
Pierce County Council Chair Shawn Bunney is the FJC
Executive Board's first chair. Other members include County Councilmember
Barbara Gelman and Tacoma City Councilmembers Connie Ladenburg and Rick
Talbert. "The center will substantially enhance county and city efforts to
prevent domestic violence by consolidating and coordinating law enforcement and
community based services," Bunney said.
Ann Eft, director of the
Tacoma-Pierce County Commission on Domestic Violence, said the FJC will be a
valuable community asset. "It will be a place for victims of family violence to
find safe space and where violent offenders will be held accountable," she said.
"The FJC will concentrate on providing that safety and accountability, making
Pierce County a safer place to live."
Domestic violence is a pattern of
behavior used by an individual to establish and maintain power and control over
another individual. Abusive behavior can include physical harm, threats of
physical harm, depravation of food, sleep and-or money, intimidation with a
weapon, forced sexual contact, restraining someone from leaving, emotional abuse
and verbal abuse. The FJC Domestic Violence Helpline - 253-798-4166 -- was
established to assist victims of abusive behavior. Information on domestic
violence can also be found on this website.
The tragic death of Crystal
Judson Brame, who was shot by her husband, Tacoma Police Chief David Brame, in
April 2003, focused community attention on the domestic violence issue.
Establishment of the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center was part of the
community's response to the tragedy.
Adams will be assisted by a staff of
three, assistant director Craig Roberts, victim services specialist Midge Tipton
and receptionist Kaye Stone. During her 14 years in the Prosecuting Attorney's
Office, Adams headed both the domestic violence and misdemeanor units. Roberts
was domestic violence coordinator in the County Clerk's Office, where he served
for 19 years.
The office will be staffed by representatives of the
partner organizations: law enforcement, prosecutors, nonprofit victim agencies,
civil legal advocates, faith-based programs, counseling providers and
translation services. "The goal is to improve access to services for victims and
their children and eliminate barriers, which currently exist when victims have
to tell their stories repeatedly to various service providers and travel from
one location to another for assistance," Roberts said.
Adams, Roberts and
others in the community have been working for the past year to make the FJC
ready for opening. "I am excited about the arrival of this day," Adams said. "It
is an honor to be involved with so many people committed to helping the victims
and their children. The outpouring of support we have received from government
officials and community leaders is amazing and gratifying."
While no
fanfare is planned for Monday, "You never know who will stop by," Adams said.
Plans are in the making for a grand opening after the first of the
year.
Crystal Judson Family Justice Center at a
glance:
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Phone:
253-798-4166
Website:
familyjusticecenter@co.pierce.wa.us
Sponsors: Pierce County,
City of Tacoma, City of Lakewood, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, City of University
Place.
Partners: YWCA, Our Sisters' House, Korean Women's
Association, Centro Latino, Pierce County Prosecutor's Domestic Violence Unit,
Victim Witness Assistance Services, Associated Ministries, Department of Social
and Health Services, Fort Lewis Family Advocacy Services, Tacoma City Attorney's
Domestic Violence Unit, Pierce County Sheriff's Domestic Violence Unit, Tacoma
Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit, Domestic Violence Helpline,
Indochinese Cultural and Services.
http://www.tpchd.org/news.php?id=116
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