DOSW October 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Earlier this month, the Department on the Status of women supported the joint hearing of the Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee and the Commission on the Status of Women to examine the San Francisco Police Department's policies and procedures for responding to sexual assault. Called by Supervisor Myrna Melgar, the hearing was informed by longstanding concerns raised by survivors, survivor advocates, and community stakeholders, as well as recent media coverage highlighting systemic challenges in the handling and investigation of sexual assault cases. These concerns include reports that San Francisco has the lowest sexual assault case clearance rate among major municipalities in California. The hearing provided an important opportunity to center survivors’ experiences, examine institutional practices and accountability, and identify opportunities for meaningful policy and systemic improvements to strengthen the City’s response to sexual violence.

The Department and Commission have a long history of advocating for survivors of all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual assault. At the hearing, our Commissioners emphasized the need for the San Francisco Police Department to prioritize system changes that center survivors and align with trauma-informed best practices. We are grateful for the San Francisco Police Department and Chief of Police Derrick Lew’s committment to improving the Police Department's response and outcomes.

Following the hearing, our Commission has put forth specific recommendations, including: 

• Establishing a Sexual Violence Justice and Courage Panel, a citywide collaborative with multiple city agencies, focused on tracking and developing systemic solutions to decrease sexual assault cases and effectively supporting survivors in San Francisco. 

The full set of recommendations can be found on the Commission on the Status of Women's October meeting page here. The Commission will discuss these recommendations and other topics at the regular Commission meeting next week on October 28th. 

As we noted last month, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a national month of action to raise awareness and help end domestic violence. The theme for 2026 is "With Survivors, Always," with a call to move from awareness to action. The recent loss of San Francisco Police Department's Deputy Chief Ann Mannix and her daughter, Katherine "Katie" Mannix, reminds us that while we have made strides, there is still more work to do. We are committed and redoubling our efforts to end domestic violence and invite you to please join us Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11 AM on the steps of City Hall to support survivors and join our call for more anti-violence education, resources, and services for survivors.

We look forward to coming together with you throughout the weeks ahead!

Sincerely,
Dr. Diana Aroche
Executive Director and Department Head
San Francisco Department on the Status of Women

Commission Meetings

At the September Commission meeting, the Commission revisited key priorities, including women’s safety, economic empowerment, and gender equity in sports, and approved a letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding the removal of the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board President William M. Palmer II. The Commission also received an update on the October 8 joint hearing with the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee regarding SFPD’s handling of sexual assault cases.

The October Commission on the Status of Women meeting will be on October 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM in Room 400 at City Hall. Please note the change in room number.

Commission on the Status of Women Meeting Information

During the meeting, we will also have the special opportunity to honor Beverly Upton,  in recognition of her extraordinary leadership, longstanding advocacy, and invaluable contributions to supporting survivors and advancing efforts to end domestic violence through her work with the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium. We look forward to celebrating her remarkable service and lasting impact on our community.

Due to the holiday schedule, the Commission’s November and December meetings will take place earlier in the month than usual. The November meeting will be held on November 9, during which the Commission will recognize and honor Indigenous Justice for their leadership, advocacy, and contributions of Indigenous communities in advancing justice, equity, and the rights and well-being of Indigenous women and girls. The December meeting will be held on December 8.

If you have any questions, please email dosw@sfgov.org or call the office at 415-252-2570.

Link to DOSW Resources
https://www.sf.gov/department-on-the-status-of-women-resources