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Health & Fitness

County Agencies Celebrate Progress in Responding to Domestic Violence

Marin County police chiefs and Family Violence Court officials were heralded Sept. 11 for their leadership toward increasing domestic violence victim safety and abuser accountability. 

Marin County District Attorney Ed Berberian and Center for Domestic Peace Deputy Executive Director Kate Kain, co-conveners of the Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence Network (CCR), presented a report highlighting the development and accomplishments of the network over the past 15 years.   Each Marin County police chief received recognition for implementing the Uniform Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence.  Former DA Paula Kamena was recognized for co-founding the CCR in 1998 and for early efforts in acknowledging how challenging the court process is for victims.  Judge Faye D’Opal accepted a Certificate of Accomplishment on behalf of Judge Vera Adams for her leadership in launching the Family Violence Court. Sheriff Robert Doyle was also recognized for his collaborative initiative in working with Center for Domestic Peace to establish the first county initiative to reduce batterers’ recidivism.

“Bringing safety and justice to victims and their children is something the CCR works toward through its multidisciplinary approach,” said District Attorney Ed Berberian.  “It is not something that any institution can do alone and only improves when we coordinate ourselves.  To that end, we recognize the fine work of the Family Violence Court and law enforcement.” 

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Kain added, “The real credit goes to the institutions that formally adopt and implement the practices day-to-day – in hospitals, police cars, courtrooms and classroom.  Today we recognize the efforts of those police officers and judicial officials who assist individuals and families suffering and healing from domestic violence in Marin County.”

The event also included direct testimony from three survivors of domestic violence who shared their positive experience of Marin law enforcement responses when they each found it necessary to call 911 for emergency assistance.

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The CCR has now released the report to County officials and the community.  Key accomplishments include:

1.      Established the county’s first coordinated response to domestic violence, engaging county government, the criminal justice system, and institutions to take ownership of the crime and better respond.

2.      Initiated more than 40 changes to policies and procedures to strengthen response for law enforcement, prosecution, hospital emergency departments, faith leaders and employers.

3.      Conducted specialized countywide trainings for mental health practitioners, police officers, hospitals and clinics, employers, faith leaders and more.

4.      Completed the first countywide survey of 239 responders from 15 professional sectors to analyze 25 best practices in Marin County.

5.      Increased ability to analyze data and create evaluation systems.

(Story distributed jointly by the Marin County District Attorney's Office and the Center for Domestic Peace.)
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