Work of the Council – Major Achievements in 2014
The Housing Authority, in response to a suggestion from the Housing Committee of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel, which has now transitioned into the work of the Family Violence Council, acquired two new domestic violence advocates who have offices on-site. The 5th Comprehensive Report on Family Violence in San Francisco expanded data collection to include the Juvenile Probation Department. The Department of Child Support Services staff received training on domestic violence, facilitated by the Department on the Status of Women. The Department of Public Health embarked on an initiative to train staff on Trauma Informed Care. Dr. Leigh Kimberg of the Department of Public Health presented to the Family Violence Council on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress, fulfilling a recommendation of the 2012/13 report. The Police Department implemented Limited English Proficiency (LEP) training for officers, including elder abuse and domestic violence scenarios. The training was developed with input from the community. The Police Department updated its Domestic Violence General Order and implemented a new Officer-Involved Domestic Violence policy, as well as a new Children of Arrested Parents Department General Order. These policy initiatives were also developed with input from the community.Key findings from the 5th Comprehensive Family Violence Report
Domestic Violence
- No change in 911 call volume.
- 23% decline in domestic violence cases investigated by the San Francisco Police Department Special Victims Unit (SVU).
- 39% decrease in domestic violence cases filed by the District Attorney’s office.
- 14% increase in clients assisted by Victim Services.
- 30% increase in persons with domestic violence charges completing probation; 15% increase in revocations of probation.
- 27% increase in persons referred from Domestic Violence Court to Sheriff’s Department Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP).
- 14% decline in CalWORKs families that received domestic violence services.
- 53% increase in individuals served by community based agencies offering transitional and permanent housing to domestic violence survivors.
Child Abuse
- 18% decline in referrals to Family and Children’s Services (FCS); 28% increase in referrals substantiated as abuse by FCS.
- 92% decline in child abuse cases received and assessed by the San Francisco Police Department Special Victims Unit; 15% increase in child abuse cases investigated by SVU.
- SVU investigation of child abuse cases has declined overall by 51% since FY2011.
- FCS substantiated four times the number of child abuse cases than SVU investigated.
- 19% increase in child abuse cases filed by the District Attorney’s Office Child Assault Unit.
- 19% increase in Adult Probation Department’s specified child abuse caseload; 37% increase in enrollment of Child Abuse Intervention Program, which is facilitated by the Department of Public Health (clients referred from Adult Probation).
Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse - Adult Protective Services received 7% fewer referrals, yet confirmed 16% more cases as unique cases of abuse by others.
- 32% increase in elder physical abuse cases received and assessed and 39% increase in physical abuse cases investigated by the Special Victims Unit; 34% increase in elder financial abuse cases received and assessed by SVU; 26 elder financial abuse cases were investigated; the elder financial abuse investigation rate declined 16 percentage points.
- Over the past four fiscal years, elder abuse cases investigated by SVU has declined 58%.
- Adult Protective Services confirmed 962 unique cases of abuse by others, 11 times the number of elder abuse cases SVU investigated.
- The Office of the District Attorney filed 35% fewer elder abuse cases.
- 21% increase in clients assisted by Victim Services.
- 32% fewer requests for elder abuse restraining orders.