THE MISSION

The Riverside Family Justice Center provides victims of domestic violence with centralized access to public and private resources in a safe, secure, and private environment.

THE VISION

The Family Justice Center brings together professionals, under one roof, to provide optimum community response and comprehensive services to victims and their children.

THE NEED

In 2003 the non-profit domestic violence programs, Alternatives to Domestic Violence and Shelter From The Storm, provided over 11,000 services to domestic violence victims. The District Attorney's Office filed 4,896 domestic violence related cases; and the Division of Victim Services provided support services to 2,866 domestic violence victims.

SERVICES

Services include legal assistance, victim/witness services, court and hospital accompaniment, crisis intervention, emergency assistance, information and referral, and access to law enforcement and prosecutors.

CENTERS

One more center, in Indio, will be opened in the next 18 months. It will be strategically located near the court facility for easy access to court services.

FUNDING

Funding comes from public and private sources. Verizon Foundation and Verizon Hopeline, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, individuals, and businesses contribute to the project.

PARTNERS

District Attorney's Office:
A Deputy District Attorney provides technical assistance to law enforcement on filing criminal complaints. Victim services advocates assist crime victims through the criminal justice process by providing information on case status, court accompaniment, information and referral, counseling, and completing Victim of Crime compensation applications.

Alternatives to Domestic Violence:
(ADV) provides victims of domestic violence and their children with individual counseling, information & referrals, court accompaniment, assistance in completing protective orders, and act as the point of entry into emergency shelter (24 hour hotline 1-800-339-SAFE or in Riverside local calling area (951) 683-0829).

Inland Counties Legal Services:
Provides legal assistance including but not limited to, family law, housing, unemployment benefits, public benefits, and immigration petitions.

Public Service Law Corporation:
Provides free legal services to indigent persons in civil cases by direct representation and through clinical settings.

Riverside Area Rape Crisis:
Provides emotional support and services to survivors of sexual assault and their families, including counseling, information and referral and hospital accompaniment (24 hour hotline 1-866-686-7273 or in Riverside local calling area (951) 686-7273).

Riverside Police Department:
Detectives assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit investigate all felony and misdemeanor domestic violence crimes that occur within the City of Riverside, including cases involving elder domestic violence, stalking, violations of restraining orders, and harassment and vandalism related to domestic violence.

Department of Public Social Services:
Adult Protective Services Social Workers respond within 2 hours upon request to provide services to victims 65 or older or those with a disability. Child Protective Services Social Workers provide the same timely response for children who are in imminent danger. Temporary financial assistance is determined upon evaluation of victim's circumstances.

Riverside Probation Department:
An assigned probation officer may provide information on case status, hold probationer accountable for terms and conditions of probation, and notify the court of violations of probation.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department:
A deputy responds upon request to provide investigative services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault related cases. The Chaplain Corps provides on-site non-denominational spiritual support for victims of domestic violence and sexual-assault related cases.