Mission Statement
The Family Justice Center Sonoma County empowers family violence victims to live free from violence and abuse by providing comprehensive services, centered on and around the victim, through a single point of access. We follow best practices in the field, track our outcomes, and meet the needs of our entire community with culturally competent services and links to remote neighborhoods, Building on strong interagency collaboration, we protect the vulnerable, stop the violence, and restore hope.
SAFETY ALERT: Please use a computer at a safe location. There is always a computer trail. If you are in danger, call 9-1-1, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 • TTY (800) 787-3224
The FJCSC provides accessible services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Interpreting services, fluent signing advocates, and various technologies are available to victims of family violence and sexual assault.
Victim Services
The Victim Services is a division within the Sonoma County DA’s Office. The program provides advocacy to victims of all crimes. It’s our mission to ensure that you are treated fairly and that your voice is heard. Advocates provide the following services: information on your rights as a crime victim, guidance in dealing with the court system, contact information for local resources, assistance in filling out applications for the Victim Compensation Program, help obtaining restitution orders and ongoing support while you learn to cope.
Legal Services
The Legal Aid advocate is a bilingual caseworker. The Legal Aid advocate offers legal and procedural advice in the area of domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders. The advocate prepares the “request” and assists the client in drafting a legally relevant declaration. Legal Aid will do many of the often very confusing procedural steps for the client such as giving notice, filing the request, picking up orders and taking orders to the Sheriff's Office for service.
A Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Accredited Immigration Representative is responsible for assisting immigrant victims of crime in applying for the immigration benefits for which they are eligible. The advocate also provides public education, outreach and advocacy on immigration laws and benefits for victims of crime, and provides referrals/resources to immigrant victims for other human and legal services.
Domestic Violence
The YWCA Domestic Violence Advocate is responsible for providing assistance and resource information to victims of domestic violence, accessing services through the Family Justice Center of Sonoma County (FJCSC). The advocate develops individualized, goal-oriented service plans to enhance safety, stability and self-sufficiency for clients and their families. The advocate provides information and referrals to community resources working directly with FJCSC on and off-site partners.
Elder Abuse
The Elder Abuse Advocate provides support for anyone, age 60 and over, who may be a victim of abuse. In all situations, the advocate will conduct a risk assessment, develop a safety plan and assist in finding services. Victims may need assistance getting a restraining order, emergency shelter, medical care, or counseling. Additionally, assistance can be given at any stage of recovery through short or long term case management.
Sexual Assault
The Sexual Assault Advocate provides crisis intervention and case management for survivors of sexual assault. Services include in-person or over the phone crisis intervention, SART, medical, legal and law enforcement accompaniments, advocacy through the criminal and civil justice systems, referrals to legal services and counseling/support groups, and long-term case management, information and referrals to the community both on and off-site.
Navigator
The Navigator/Lead Advocate plays a key leadership role in the provision of services throughout the Family Justice Center Sonoma County (FJCSC). The advocate is responsible for client intake assessment and coordination of services at the FJCSC. This position also performs “umbrella” case management and oversees the FJCSC client referral and tracking systems.
Inter Tribal Advocate
The ITCC Family Violence Prevention & Services Program provides emergency food, clothing, shelter and transportation services to victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Through Domestic Violence Victim Advocates, trained and assisted by ITCC, Native Americans residing in California are provided with emergency services, referrals and workshops for effective education and intervention in Violence Awareness issues.