CoCo County Creates Multi-Service Centers For Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Victims
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (KCBS)— Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Contra Costa County are finding assistance to be more accessible and it's only going to get better.
Contra Costa, with help from their law enforcement, is ramping up services for those victims by creating multi-service centers, but the efforts really started 10 years ago.
That's when the county became the first in the Bay Area to establish a zero tolerance for domestic violence strategy.
"The whole purpose is to change the way we provide services to victims of violence, child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence and have a one-stop location," West County Supervisor John Gioia said.
A new Family Justice Center in Downtown Richmond will undergo almost $2 million in renovations before it opens in late 2014.
Police Chief Chris Magnus said there's no underestimating the need for this multi-service center.
CoCo County Creates Multi-Service Centers For Victims of Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault
"The demand is huge and I think we're only touching the tip of the iceberg right now despite a lot of outreach efforts by not only police, but service providers," Magnus said.
For now, a temporary facility is in operation at the Hilltop Mall. Gloria Sandoval of Stand for Families Free of Violence said plans are already in the works for a Family Justice Center in Concord and another in East Contra Costa.
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