This justice center will serve victims
by Thomas Keane, Jr.
Dan Conley
thinks it may well be the most important thing he has ever done.
Conley, the
Inspired by a program in
For one, we have
historically treated domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse as
three distinct problems. That has been true in the DA's office, where separate
teams have been assigned to each area. In fact,
though, the three are interrelated. The circumstances that give rise to
domestic violence, for example, also play a role in child abuse or sexual
assault.
Because of that, Conley last
month reorganized his office to create a new unit that coordinates the
prosecutorial activities of the three teams. Headed up by Assistant District
Attorney David Deakin, who previously led the
office's investigation of clergy sexual abuse, Conley's hope is that the
coordinated approach can create a ``mindset in which we are all focused on the
well-being of entire families.''
Criminal enforcement,
however, is just a small piece of the puzzle - ``one end of the service
spectrum,'' in Conley's words. Treating domestic violence and abuse as merely
criminal matters does little to address the underlying issues that cause those
crimes. In addition, law enforcement itself can't do much to help victims move
on with their lives.
There are other problems as
well. Victims - mostly women - are reluctant to come forward to report cases of
abuse or violence. The details are often intimate. They are embarrassed and
they fear reprisals.
Moreover, even when they do
come forth, victims are confronted with a haphazard
system that itself is intimidating. Victims ``must travel from place to place
to access services, telling and retelling their stories to law enforcement,
courts, legal and medical professionals, housing, social service providers,
mental health, and financial assistance providers,'' says Conley. They
eventually ``simply get worn down and give up.''
These are
the problems the
The center had its genesis
at a fundraiser held last April for an organization called the Children's
Present was Boston Mayor
Thomas Menino who, after the customary laudatory remarks, made a surprising
announcement. Budget cuts were forcing the city to shutter several schools. One
of those buildings, he figured, could be put to good
use by the CAC. It was a classic lemonade-from-lemons moment, and left several
in attendance in near tears.
At the same time, those
involved in the field had become increasingly excited about an initiative in
Meanwhile, Menino made good
on his promise. The city offered up - rent-free and for four years - a
33,500-square-foot building on
Conley is now seeking
private and state funds for renovations; he plans for his office to absorb the
annual operating cost of the building. If all goes well, the new center opens
in the spring. In it would be virtually all of the organizations that touch on
abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence - including law enforcement, state
agencies and medical personnel as well as, Conley hopes, independent
organizations such as the CAC, Jane Doe, the Massachusetts Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and Casa Myrna Vasquez.
In effect, the center would
be one-stop shopping, ``a safe, secure place for victims to access a full range
of services under one roof,'' according to Conley.
It's an impressive plan. By
bringing issues of sexual assault and child abuse into the mix,
It could well become a model
for the nation; for local families, it would be a source of refuge and hope.
Talk back to Tom Keane at