VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Assembly member Jacqui Irwin (AD-44) has secured $1 million in funding for a Ventura County Family Justice Center (FJC) – Oxnard satellite pilot project. This new funding was included in the California 2021-22 Budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
This budget allocation will improve the delivery of critical services to Oxnard-area residents impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, human trafficking, hate crimes, and other violent crimes. Residents of Oxnard represent more than one-third of clients served; yet, many facing cultural, language, economic, distance and transportation barriers have been unable to access the services of the FJC.
The goals of opening this satellite include enhancing access to justice and services for victims and their families by providing them with the tools they need to recover, heal, and end the generational cycles of abuse and violence. It also serves as an option to access services when fear of the police sometimes prevents victims from obtaining help. Services at the Oxnard satellite will include assistance with restraining orders, U-Visas, family law matters, and access to more than 35 partnering agency services available as part of the FJC network.
“We are excited to improve access and services to victims in Oxnard and extend our appreciation to Assembly member Irwin, her legislative colleagues, and Governor Newsom for their support for crime victims, survivors, and their families.” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
District Attorney Nasarenko will soon begin meeting with community stakeholders, survivors, FJC partners, and county and city officials to launch planning for the Oxnard satellite. The next steps include locating an appropriate site and discussing staffing needs to provide farmworker, indigenous, and monolingual Spanish-speaking communities with one-on-one legal, social, counseling, victim advocacy services and focused outreach in the Oxnard area.
The Ventura County Family Justice Center is located at 3170 Loma Vista Road in Ventura. During business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., requests for services and information are available in person, by telephone (805) 652-7655, by text (805) 947-7981, and by e-mail [email protected].
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