DATE:
August 1, 2000 SUMMARY:
The County of San Diego has taken significant measures to tackle the problem of domestic violence. From arresting and prosecuting perpetrators, to helping victims escape a hostile situation, this Board has made it a priority to decrease incidents of domestic violence. The Court system plays a crucial role in helping victims end the pattern of abuse. However, this system can present a difficult challenge for a victim who needs to get help.
This Board letter will help these victims by allowing for the continued operation of a much needed domestic violence restraining order clinic in East County.
Recommendation:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to appropriate $60,000 out of 1999/2000 Community Reinvestment Balance for Project Safe Harbor. 2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board within nine months with a proposed permanent funding source for Project Safe Harbor.
Fiscal Impact: BACKGROUND:
In the past four years, the East County branch of the Superior Court has averaged over 1,400 filings per year for domestic violence restraining orders. A clinic currently operates in East County and each year assists hundreds of domestic violence victims with restraining orders. San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program (SDVLP) has been operating the clinic for the past 10 years with volunteers. More recently, the Center for Community Solutions (CCS) has provided a staff person in the afternoon hours, 3 days per week. In addition to assisting victims, the clinic can relieve a burden on the judicial system when it is available to victims. Forms are properly filled out and the Court is much more able to understand the nature of the complaint. The Court has reported a significant reduction in operating time with clients assisted by the clinic.
Because the clinic is run with the help of volunteers, its operating hours are unstable and victims are sometimes left to handle the restraining order process on their own. The process for obtaining a restraining order is tedious and court clerks are unable to offer any assistance because the law prohibits them from providing legal guidance. A thick packet is what many victims are left with to decipher. Very rarely does a victim of domestic violence retain private counsel. The end result is most victims are unable to complete the necessary forms and accurately follow the process without some assistance.
SDVLP, CCS and the Helix Center for Family Development have initiated Project Safe Harbor, a joint project that will help ensure that the East County restraining order clinic remains open to the public full-time in order to assist victims of domestic violence. CCS, a non-profit organization in San Diego and La Mesa, will act as the fiscal sponsor for the clinic. The East County branch of the Superior Court has committed to supporting the restraining order clinic with in-kind donations of office space, telephones and office equipment. This Board letter will allow the County to ensure the continued operation of a domestic violence restraining order clinic in East County by funding the first year costs of Project Safe Harbor. I urge your support.
Respectfully Submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: East County Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic
Chairwoman Dianne Jacob:
The cost will be $60,000 for FY 00/01 and will come from the 1999/2000 Community Reinvestment Balance. The CAO will identify possible funding sources for future annual operating costs.
The County of San Diego has taken significant measures to tackle the problem of domestic violence. From arresting and prosecuting perpetrators, to helping victims escape a hostile situation, this Board has made it a priority to decrease incidents of domestic violence. The Court system plays a crucial role in helping victims end the pattern of abuse. However, as victims attempt to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety, some give up because the process can be too intimidating without legal guidance.
Chairwoman
