Gilroy – A landmark event will bring dozens of judges, social
workers, peace officers and activists to Gilroy to map out the
resources available to domestic violence survivors.
Gilroy – A landmark event will bring dozens of judges, social workers, peace officers and activists to Gilroy to map out the resources available to domestic violence survivors.
“It can be really confusing,” said Perla Flores, who handles domestic violence and sexual assault issues for Community Solutions in South County. “This event gives an opportunity for people to see the different players involved in domestic violence cases, all at one time.”
The Thursday night workshop is the brainchild of Judge Erica Yew, a Superior Court Judge who believes the domestic violence survivors she sees in court aren’t aware of the resources available to them. Yew joined with dozens of local agencies to hold Domestic Violence Information and Resources Workshops. This week’s event, held from 6pm to 8:30pm in the South Valley Middle School gymnasium, is the third Yew has sponsored, and the first in South County.
“There seems to be such a lack of knowledge about what people in domestic violence situations can do – and should do – to get relief, get support or get out of their circumstances,” said Steve Preminger, Community Services Director of the South Bay Labor Council. “People in these circumstances may tend to shut down, because they’re embarrassed or terrorized. They’re not out there, looking for ways to escape.”
Thursday’s event will include presentations from Yew, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), court representatives and domestic violence survivors.
Local, county and state agencies that support domestic violence survivors, including MACSA, First 5, Saint Joseph’s Family Center and Project Sentinel, will provide information and referrals to attendees.
Gilroy and Morgan Hill police will also be represented at the event. Preminger said more than 100 people are expected to attend.
When attendees leave the workshop, he said, “they’ll know just how many agencies are out there that they can turn to – whether they want to know how to leave a specific situation, or just want to know what kind of social services are available to them.”
