Submitted by Thurston County Family Justice Center
Services for domestic violence, sexual assault now in downtown Olympia
October 14, 2013 marked the public opening of the Thurston County Family Justice Center in downtown Olympia. This is a collaborative program of the Family Support Center of South Sound, the Thurston County Clerk’s Office, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Thurston County Family Justice Center provides advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in criminal cases, assists with civil protection orders and civil family law matters, and provides referrals to social services and other kinds of support.
The official opening of the Family Justice Center was highlighted by greetings from First Lady Trudi Inslee and a keynote address by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson. Mrs. Inslee noted that the Thurston County Family Justice Center, based on a national best-practices model of service delivery, is only the second such center in Washington State; the first being the Crystal Judson Center in Tacoma.
The Thurston County Family Justice Center gathers together law enforcement, legal experts, victim advocates and social service providers in one place, making it easier for domestic violence and sexual assault victims to begin to rebuild their lives with protection orders, emergency housing, child care resources, and other legal and social services. Currently, ten service agencies have signed on as partners with the Family Justice Center, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord Victim Advocacy Services, Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center and Washington State Adult Protective Services. “It’s important to have a collaborative and coordinated approach for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking cases,” said Jon Tunheim, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney. “Victims may become intimidated and discouraged if they are forced to go to six or eight different places and talk to a dozen different people to get basic help. Having one office in downtown Olympia makes it easier for victims to access the justice they deserve and rebuild their lives.”
For more information about the new Thurston County Family Justice Center and information about services and assistance for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, visit the Thurston County Family Justice Center web page at www.thurstoncountyfjc.org.
