Page 9 - Delaware Lawyer - Spring 2023

tell their story once, which reduces the trauma they often endure when they must tell their stories to several agencies in order to access services. FJCs aim to be survivor- and safety-focused, reduce violence, and provide coordinated services to protect children and fami- lies while holding abusers accountable for their actions.
Early research suggests that FJCs have the capabilities to do all of the things mentioned above. They have taken the community-based approach of women’s shelters and, when im- plemented as intended, can ser ve many of the same functions, with the additions of partnerships with civil
and criminal justice systems.2 Despite some of the early articles written (be- ginning with one about San Diego’s FJC, which opened in 2002 and was the first of its kind), research remains sparse concerning the effects of an FJC within a community.
There have been cautions with FJCs, especially as to how these institutions may be received by women of color, who are less likely to turn to state systems when faced with domestic violence.3 This is an especially important issue given that research has found that women of color are more likely to be blamed for abuse perpetrated against them, which places them at additional
Family Justice Centers aim to be survivor- and safety-focused, reduce violence,
and provide coordinated services to protect children and families.
disadvantages in the child welfare system.4 Women of color in various communities (such as the rural South) also have reported mistrust of law enforcement5 as being one of the main reasons they do not reach out for help when suffering from domestic violence.6 Given the breadth of this research, it is critical to consider how an FJC in Delaware will engender trust among women of color and other marginalized victims, especially while Delaware is continuing to plan and assess feasibility.
Additionally, one literature review7 notes that the types of resources provided within an FJC are critically
SPRING 2023 DELAWARE LAWYER 7