October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This is the time of year to recognize that domestic violence is a serious community problem. The City of Sunnyvale has taken a proactive, educational and enforcement oriented approach in the prevention of domestic violence and assisting the victims and their families when incidents occur. The Department of Public Safety has been a participant every year in the development and implementation of the countywide domestic violence protocol which includes response, investigation, enforcement of domestic violence laws, victim assistance and officer training. In order to bring attention to domestic violence in Santa Clara County the 2^nd Annual Public and Elected Officials Walk to End Domestic Violence will take place on Friday, October 8, 1999 at 8:30 AM at San Jose City Hall.

Domestic violence crosses all cultural, economic and geographic barriers. In order to reach members of our diverse community the Department has formed partnerships and utilizes support groups to assist victims of domestic violence. Agencies such as the Support Network for Battered Women, the Asian Women’s Home, Next Door: Solutions to Domestic Violence and Asian Americans for Community Involvement are in place in Santa Clara County. These agencies provide assistance to women of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Our closest partner, the Support Network for Battered Women, has attempted contact with domestic violence victims in Sunnyvale over the past several years by use of their Victim Advocacy Program. This year, hundreds of women in abusive relationships were contacted. Prior to the contact by victim advocates many of the victims were not aware of the resources and options available to them to make their life and their children’s lives safer.

Sunnyvale Public Safety Neighborhood Resource Officers have been educating teenagers and young adults from 5^th grade to high school age in domestic violence prevention for several years. These classes are aimed at helping young adults identify teen dating violence, changing the attitudes of youth regarding the acceptance of domestic violence and presenting youth with resources to turn to in situations of domestic violence. Recently passed AB558 requires the State Dept. Of Education to develop an age-appropriate course of study for grades 1-12 in domestic violence prevention by September 1, 2000.

Over the past year, Public Safety staff and members who represent the Support Group for Battered Women gave Public Safety Officers training and updated information on new laws and available resources. Topics have included new Federal and State laws regarding domestic violence, Victim Advocacy programs, batterer’s power and control attitudes, the impact of domestic violence on children and lethality assessments.

A countywide protocol developed by the Police Chief’s Association of Santa Clara County is currently in place and being used by all law enforcement in Santa Clara County. Sunnyvale has consistently offered input, solutions and feedback for the development and adoption of this protocol. The protocol allows consistency for all county law enforcement to educate potential victims and families about domestic violence and prosecute abusers and batters in a fair and equitable manner.

During the FY 98-99 period the Department of Public Safety responded to 438 domestic violence calls for service. These calls for service include 100 calls for minor verbal arguments and restraining order violations. Of the remaining 338 cases, 265 cases involved weapons that included firearms, knives, other dangerous weapons or hands, fists and feet. Overall, 290 abusers, batters and law violators were arrested at the time of the incident. Many others were subsequently arrested after warrants were issued for their arrest.

In the first three months of FY 99-00, 125 domestic violence incidents were reported with 73 arrests made at the time of the incident and 6 arrests for warrants from previous cases.

Public Safety Officers have issued over 80 Emergency Protective Orders (EPRO) so far this calendar year. These orders immediately prevent a battering suspect from contacting a victim until the family court can issue a more permanent order. The orders have been extremely successful in preventing further violence waged against victims and family members. In fact, so far this year there has been no incidence of continued physical violence against a victim once the order was served and in place.

Laws that allow the confiscation of firearms owned, possessed or in the control of batterers have also been successful in stopping the potential of deadly force being used by suspects. Over 75 firearms have been confiscated and safely removed from the homes of domestic violence suspects this year alone in Sunnyvale. In an effort to ensure greater protection to domestic violence victims, Gov. Davis recently signed SB218, which prohibits possession of any firearm by a batterer while a restraining order is in effect.

Additional training for Public Safety Officers and additional community outreach is currently being scheduled. The City of Sunnyvale will continue to support future legislation and programs that will enhance the awareness and assist in the education of domestic violence in the community.

The 2^nd Annual Walk to End Domestic Violence will take place on October 8, 1999 at 8:30 AM at San Jose City Hall. The short 2-mile walk will bring together city, county, state and federal officials, community leaders and business owners to show support for domestic violence awareness.

Publication and posting on the City Council Agenda. Reports to Council are also available in the Sunnyvale Public Library and on the City’s Internet home page.

This item is for information only.

Prepared by:

Chuck Eaneff, Captain
Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Brown Taylor, Interim Director
Department of Public Safety

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager