In an attempt to provide a centralized holistic approach to victims of domestic violence by moving many county services under one roof, the Family Justice Center in Oakland, California opened in late August 2005. The Oakland center will provide access to 25 agencies, 60 on-site community partners and six court services. The center is a part of a United States federal pilot project announced by President Bush in 2003. This project is part of a recent national effort to improve the response to victims of domestic violence. It was modeled after the San Diego Family Justice Center that has served thousands since it opened in 2002. The United States Justice Department has provided $20 million to fund 15 family justice centers. The first center opened in Brooklyn, N.Y. in July and others are planned to open in eight metropolitan areas around the country over the next year. The centralization of services is another step toward the goal of eradicating violence against women.
Compiled from: "New Centers offer Battered Women Dozens of Services," Rebecca Vesely, www.womensenews.org , September 16, 2005; Office on Violence Against Women: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/pfjci.htm; Department of Justice: http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2004/July/04_opa_499.htm; San Diego Family Justice Center http://familyjusticecenter.org/main.htm