About Domestic Violence Information and Resources

“We wanted to give the victims and their families the opportunity to access all the county’s resource providers by placing them in one room for one evening and removing the obstacles of transportation, language, child care, inconvenience and intimidation.  I wanted the participants to leave feeling that the Court was open and accessible – whether they were suffering from violence or perpetrating it”. 

~Judge Erica Yew

THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES COLLABORATIVE

Through the work of the Criminal Domestic Violence Court and Judge Erica Yew, a significant need was identified to better inform victims of domestic violence about the process of reporting and connecting with support and resources to break the cycle of violence.  As funding for domestic violence community education and prevention has continued to dwindle, the Superior Court, led by Judge Erica Yew, engaged a small group of volunteer stakeholders to organize and begin a series of public workshops to provide basic information to community members in the hopes that potential victims of domestic violence could learn more about how the system works and how to connect with help and resources. 

The DVIR Network currently includes the Superior Courts, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, South Bay Labor Council, the Domestic Violence Intervention Collaborative and over 50 domestic violence agencies and service providers.  In the fall of 2007, the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy began formal coordination of these efforts, partnering with the Superior Court to convene the core planning group and expanding public awareness and participation in these workshops and linking families in need to vital resources and support.  A part-time coordinator was made possible during 2008 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance – Justice Assistance Grant Program.

WHAT IS A DVIR WORKSHOP?

The workshops bring together, in one evening, agencies and service providers who can help the community better understand and navigate the complex system of domestic violence.  Workshops take place at locations in the heart of the community and are presented in a welcoming and safe environment.  Participants receive information and resources on a wide variety of topics, including housing, childcare, victim services, perpetrator services, immigration, health care, substance abuse treatment, child support, family court orders, elder abuse, and same sex abuse.  Free dinner, child care, and transportation are arranged to remove potential barriers to participation. 

For more information about DVIR, please contact Office of Women's Policy at owp@ceo.sccgov.org or call 408.299.5135