In November 1990 a Task Force on Domestic Violence was formed with retired Santa Clara County Supervisor Suzanne Wilson and Superior Court Judge Len Edwards as co-chairs. Representatives from organizations in the county as well as county law enforcement, the Judiciary, the District Attorney's Office, the Santa Clara Bar Association and Probation Department were among those participating on the Task Force.

With their work completed in April of 1991, the Task Force concluded that domestic violence was a serious problem in our community and a coordinated community response was needed to effectively combat it. The Task Force recommended the County Board of Supervisors establish a Domestic Violence Council to address these needs.

On April 23, 1991, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, by ordinance, established the Domestic Violence Council. This Council was created and empowered to examine domestic violence county-wide and make recommendations to the Board in regard to administrative and legislative remedies.

The Council first met on May 24, 1991 and formed six working committees. Over the past six years an additional eight working committees were added to the Council with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, to address the ever changing and challenging needs in this community.

The committees currently working on Council goals are:

In 1997 the legislation committee was disbanded as timing constraints in the legislature made it very difficult for this committee to review and make recommendation to the Council on proposed legislation in a timely fashion. However, members of the Council continue to work through their individual organizations with the State legislature on Domestic Violence related legislation. Several members of the council testified last year at the State Capitol on behalf of a number of bills related to domestic violence issues.

Over the past eighteen months the Board of Supervisors approved establishing the Housing Committee to examine county-wide housing needs for victims of domestic violence; the Victim's Voice Committee, which provides a forum for victims to work in a peer setting on a wide variety of issues; and the Batterer's Intervention Committee, which provides oversight and accreditation for local treatment programs.

The Council, in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors, has organized and sponsored a number of conferences in the past year and a half. Our 1996 and 1997 annual conferences were huge successes. We brought together professionals throughout the State to listen and learn from some of the leading experts in the nation on issues related to domestic violence. In an effort to form a closer alliance, the Council sponsored its first Domestic Violence Conference for the religious community. Plans are currently in progress to sponsor our sixth annual Domestic Violence Conference, to be held the first week of October 1998 at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel.

Some of the highlights of the past eighteen months include the development of Domestic Violence Medical and Probation protocols, which have been adopted in this county. Other accomplishments include publishing a comprehensive Domestic Violence Death Review report, which examined fifty-one domestic related homicide cases and the implementation of the AWARE program in this county, which was created by ADT Security Systems, Inc. to help protect victims of domestic violence by giving them emergency necklace pendants and electronic systems to alert police in case of danger. A county-wide Domestic Violence Resource Card was created and published in three languages for distribution by law enforcement agencies.

Looking at long-term strategic planning issues, funding was received through the efforts of supervisor Blanca Alvarado to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the housing needs of victims of violence in this county. Through the collaborative efforts of the Judiciary, the District Attorney's Office, and the Sheriff's Department, victims of domestic violence can now file restraining orders by fax. Those orders are now entered into a central repository at the Sheriff's Department eliminating the need to serve them at affected law enforcement agencies. The prosecution of domestic violence cases is handled through a specialized Domestic Violence Unit in the District Attorney's Office. These collective efforts have truly enhanced the services provided to those affected by domestic violence throughout the county.

While the Council has accomplished many tasks and completed numerous goals over the past year and a half, there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done in this community. We remain focused on our vision to end domestic violence in our community. Over the next year we will expand our efforts into the workplace and into our local schools to provide education and prevention programs. We remained focused on improving data collection and addressing children's issues.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Council for their dedication and hard work. Special thanks go to the members of Council committees for the countless volunteer hours they have put into meetings, programs and conferences. Thank you all for remaining committed and focused on our vision.

The collective efforts of the Domestic Violence Council would not have been possible without the support of the Board of Supervisors. We acknowledge and thank them for their continued financial and moral support.

I am confident that the new year will be an exciting and productive one. The Council remains committed to maintaining Santa Clara County as the leader in coordinated community response to domestic violence nationwide.

Respectfully submitted,

Lucy Carlton,
Chairperson

In late 1990 Judge Len Edwards approached Suzanne Wilson, Chair of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and asked her to consider forming a Domestic Violence Council in Santa Clara County. Ms. Wilson suggested that first the Board of Supervisors create a task force to identify the problems facing the county and to recommend to the board of Supervisors a plan of action. Thereafter, the Board appointed a task force of over 20 persons and charged the task force with investigating Santa Clara County's needs regarding domestic violence and then reporting to the Board its findings and suggestions.

The task force met for ninety days and concluded with a report. The report found that domestic violence was a significant social and family problem in Santa Clara County. It found that many individuals and departments were working with the problem, but that there were significant communication problems and much more to be done to respond effectively to this problem. The most important recommendation contained in the report was to create a domestic violence council that would regularly meet to address the prevention of domestic violence.

The Board of Supervisors created the Domestic Violence Council on April 23, 1991. A copy of the transmittal, the proposed by-laws and the ordinance are attached to this short history.

The Board of Supervisors appointed a wide range of professionals and community members to the Council. District Attorney George Kennedy was elected first Chair of the Domestic Violence Council. Immediately after its creation the Council established goals, a workplan, and five standing committees. The first year workplan is also attached to this article.

Since its creation in 1991, the Council has had a remarkable impact on the way domestic violence is addressed within Santa Clara County. It is impossible to describe in this short history all of the changes which have occurred as a result of Council activities. There are now 13 committees and dozens of sub-committees addressing scores of activities. In any month there are more than 20 meetings among working groups doing Council projects.

Perhaps the most visible achievement of the Council is the Annual Conference held in October each year. Other notable achievements are the Police - Victim Relations Protocol and the Medical Protocol, each of which has significantly changed the ways in which professionals deal with domestic violence victims. The Council continues to grow and broaden its reach. It is nationally recognized as a model organization and has hosted a national conference bringing together leaders interested in starting councils in their own jurisdictions. Council members know that there is much more to be done and are committed to continuing their efforts indefinitely.

 

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SANTA CLARA COUNTY ORDINANCE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL

ORDINANCE NO. NS-300-475 AN ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER XVI (COMMENCING WITH SECTION A18-300) TO DIVISION A18 OF TITLE A OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY ORDINANCE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL

Summary

This ordinance creates a Domestic Violence Council which shall examine issues relating to domestic violence and make recommendations in regard to administrative and legislation issues relating to domestic violence.

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The Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara, State of California, do ordain as follows:

SECTION 1: Chapter XVI is added to Division A18 of Title A of the Santa Clara County Ordinance Code to read as follows:

CHAPTER XVI, Domestic Violence Council

Section A18-300. Establishment and Purpose
There is hereby established a Domestic Violence Council. The general purpose of the Council shall be as follows:

1. to effectuate coordination between agencies, departments and the courts with victims of domestic violence and abuse;
2. to promote effective prevention, intervention and treatment techniques which will be developed based upon research and data collection; and
3. to improve the response to domestic violence and abuse so as to reduce incidents thereof.

Section A18-301. Membership
The membership of the Council shall consist of twenty-nine (29) members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Members shall be representative of the following:

1. Three representatives shall be from battered women's shelters.
2. One representative shall be from each of the following activity areas: Police Chiefs' Association, San Jose Police Department, Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, Municipal Court, Superior Court, Family Court (Superior Court), Batterer's Treatment Program, Pretrial Release Services, the Bar Association, the Public Defender's Office, Legal Aid, Criminal Defense Bar, Family Law Bar, Social Services Agency, Probation, Research Specialization, Commission on the Status of Women, the State Legislation, elder abuse, and the gay and lesbian community. Representatives should be at the policy-making level of their respective organizations.
3. Five representatives of the public at large. The terms of office of each member shall be three years; provided the members first appointed shall classify themselves by lot in accordance with Section 506 of the County Charter.

Section A18-302. Secretary
The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall be ex-officio secretary of the Council and shall be responsible for providing secretarial assistance to the Council.

Section A18-303. Meetings
Meetings of the Council will be scheduled not less than monthly, and shall be open to the public.

Section A18-304. Duties
The following shall be the duties of the Council:

1. Examine ways in which agencies, departments and the courts in Santa Clara County respond to domestic violence and abuse in order to improve that response.
2. Improve the cooperation and coordination among all the participants in the justice system who deal with domestic violence and abuse.
3. Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, agencies, departments, the courts and others regarding improving the response to domestic violence and abuse.
4. Examine and review legislation that relates to domestic violence and abuse and recommend appropriate action to the Board of Supervisor's Legislative Committee.
5. Encourage and promote public education regarding domestic violence and abuse.
6. Address the recommendations of the report "Family Violence: Improving Court Practice," written by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
7. Make recommendations regarding the implementation of the Judicial Council Gender Bias Task Force Report recommendations relating to domestic violence and abuse.
8. Make recommendations regarding the implementation of the Auditor General's report on the administration of the State's Domestic Violence Diversion programs.
9. Form task forces of committees to assist in planning, policy, goal and priority recommendations, and such other functions as the Council deems necessary.
10. Respond to related matters referred to the Council by the Board of Supervisors.
11. Subject to the approval of the County Executive, to request county department, information, services, facilities and other assistance for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the Council.

Section A18-305. Relationship to Other Boards and Commissions
The Council shall ensure that its activities do not conflict with those of other boards, commissions, and councils in Santa Clara County. It shall endeavor to cooperate and coordinate with any other bodies with overlapping jurisdiction.

Section A18-306. Annual Report
The Council shall report to the Board of Supervisors on its progress each year and shall indicate what it proposes to accomplish for the following year. Should the Council conclude that there is no further work for the Council, it shall report to the Board and request that the Council be disbanded.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara, State of California on April 23, 1991

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1991 - ONE-YEAR WORKPLAN of the DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL of SANTA CLARA COUNTY

1. COURT SYSTEMS COMMITTEE:
   1. Report on ways in which the court system can better coordinate its dealings with domestic violence issues.
   2. Report on the services available for all members of families that have been exposed to violence and recommend what additional services are needed.
   3. Report: Are respondents / defendants getting to court and receiving adequate representation in all legal settings?
   4. Research Topics:
      1. What is the most effective form of restraining orders and court orders?
      2. Does court intervention help?
      3. Can listing of arrests and prior incidents be included in probation reports?
   5. Plan and provide education and training for all persons in the court system. The training should include emphasis on the following:
      1. Mutual restraining orders / due process.
      2. Family violence dynamics
   6. Report on suitability and eligibility of persons for domestic violence diversion programs.
   7. Report: From Family Court Services to the Council on the issue of mandatory mediation in domestic violence cases.
   8. Report and recommendations on how can victims be notified when an alleged batterer is released form custody.
2. COMMUNITY EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
   1. To provide education to community groups and to the community at large on violence within the family and in the home. Specific target groups shall include the following:
      1. Jails, juvenile facilities, children's shelters.
      2. School system.
      3. Ethnic / cultural communities.
      4. Gay / lesbian communities.
      5. Professional communities
   2. Public hearings throughout Santa Clara County.
   3. Standardize batterer treatment programs
   4. Maintain and update a Domestic Violence Resource Directory including domestic violence and substance abuse programs approved by the justice system.
3. DATA COMMITTEE:
   1. Standardize domestic violence data collection in Santa Clara County.
      1. Recommend that all police agencies in Santa Clara County collect and report data on domestic violence in the same manner, e.g., victim profiles, police intervention standards, arrests and dispositions.
      2. Collect statistics form Next Door, Mid-Peninsula and La Isla Pacifica.
      3. Collect District Attorney statistics countywide.
      4. Determine prosecution requests and results (rejection rates and other dispositions)
      5. Collect Court statistics - results of prosecutions including sentencing, violations of probation and successful completion of probation.
4. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE:
   1. Review pending legislation and determine which bills are high priorities. Bring them to council for approval and recommended action.
   2. Review the Family Violence" Improving Court Practices report and the Gender Bias Report and make recommendations for legislation.
5. POLICE-VICTIM RELATIONS COMMITTEE:
   1. Collect and standardize:
      1. Police policies and procedures relating to domestic violence from each agency and academy.
      2. TRO forms from all over county; include identification of batterer on form.
      3. List of services and training available to police from community agencies including victim witness support groups.
6. GOAL:
   1. To provide technical assistance to any member who wishes to seek grant funding for a domestic violence project.
7. COORDINATE PILOT PROJECT FROM UNIVERSITY OF SANTA CLARA LAW SCHOOL:
   1. The University of Santa Clara is willing to set up a pilot program that would involve volunteer law students assisting victims of domestic violence. Law students can help victims process temporary restraining orders, accompany victims to court and assist wherever they are needed.

 

DOXYS End of document.