Grant helps victims navigate the criminal justice system

By David L. Swing

I take the issue of domestic violence very seriously and am personally and professionally committed to preventing further tragic incidents, such as the one June 15, 2013 that resulted in the city’s first homicide of the year. The victim, a 46-year-old woman, died as a result of injuries sustained by domestic violence. The suspect in this case was identified and arrested shortly after the incident and will be charged with homicide. The victim’s family will have closure and the suspect will be brought to justice and held accountable for his actions.

Domestic violence touches all socio-economic and educational levels. No one should be a victim of this type of violence which is perpetrated by a loved one, partner or family member. Domestic violence is not an isolated private family matter. Government statistics indicate that 1,500 to 2,000 women are murdered by partners/ex-partners per year; that is an average of three to four women every day. According to the American Medical Association, 1 of 3 women will be a victim of violence by husband or boyfriend at some point in her life. In 2012 there were nine domestic violence related deaths in Santa Clara County.

As police chief, I have made it a priority to ensure Morgan Hill Police Department officers are prepared to assist victims on how and where to get help and support. We are committed to eradicating the cycle of fear and violence and I’d like to remind the community that Morgan Hill has resources and services available to help victims change their lives. For the past six years, the Police Department has been the recipient of a grant from the United States Department of Justice that supports victims of domestic violence.

The grant’s intent is to provide an array of services to victims that not only helps them navigate through the sometimes daunting judicial process, but also gets them on the path toward safe housing, stable work and providing for their families. Funding includes an MHPD detective dedicated to domestic violence cases in both Morgan Hill and Gilroy. In 2012, more than 150 victims were assisted by the grant, increasing victim safety and offender accountability.

The grant’s success is due in part to our unique partnership with local nonprofit Community Solutions. Community Solution’s Victim Advocates work one-on-one with victims and serve as a legal advocate for restraining orders, custody matters and immigration concerns. Our MHPD detective and the advocate also accompany them to court. As a result, victims report feeling a greater sense of security in reporting incidents knowing they will receive continued support in taking the steps to breaking the cycle of violence.
We are fortunate to have an organization of the caliber of Community Solutions in our community. Each year Community Solutions provides crisis intervention, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, individual and family therapy, and resources to more than 1,000 intimate partner abuse survivors in South Santa Clara County. Nobody deserves to be abused.

If you or someone you know is being hurt, call the Community Solutions 24-hour bilingual crisis line: 877-363-7238.

David Swing is Morgan Hill’s police chief.