Center will provide wrap-around services and resources for families and victims of violence at LAC+USC Medical Center.
LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis joined Councilmember José Huizar, the Los Angeles Police Department, The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Violence Intervention Program, and LAC+USC staff today to celebrate the opening of a new facility that will offer a broad range of supportive services to victims of domestic violence.
The LAC+USC Family Justice Center is a partnership with the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, the LAC+USC Medical Center, and a number of community-based organizations. The new one-stop shop leverages many of the practices of the nationally-recognized Family Justice Center Alliance model, with a more expanded focus on domestic violence, child, and elder abuse victims.
“Domestic violence destroys too many lives — and it often leaves victims afraid and confused, with nowhere to go,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “These men and women need a place of refuge where they can find comfort, guidance and all the services they need in one place. Together with our County partners, we have created this new Family Justice Center to give victims and their families the help and relief they deserve.”
Housed at the LAC+USC Medical Center Housing, the Family Justice Center provides resources and creates a safe space where victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse, and other forms of violence can seek refuge and obtain necessary support and services. Law enforcement resources are also on-site and available with existing clinical and supportive services at LAC+USC, so patients and victims can address most of their medical, legal, and social needs in a single place.
“I envision a Healthy Village that helps the entire neighborhood, and today’s celebration of the Family Justice Center represents a positive step in making that a vision a reality,” said Supervisor Solis. “This unique, evidence-based model of integrated services brings together law enforcement, forensics, legal, medical, mental health, social, and other services directly to victims of violence. As we continue to support projects and implement investments that benefit and support the local community, today is a milestone in my continuing efforts to improve the overall health and wellness of our residents.”
This multi-agency, multidisciplinary, co-located service model streamlines the process for more effective and efficient outcomes for those in need, and is the first step toward other future partnerships at the LAC+USC medical campus.
“Too often women and their families are driven into homelessness by domestic violence,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “The Family Justice Center will help us respond to this horrific abuse and give domestic violence victims the support and security they need today, and the hope and inspiration they will surely need tomorrow.”
