Mesa Police Department Center Against Family
Violence (CAFV)
 The Center Against Family Violence, where criminal justice joins forces with helping
professions; where police and social workers, prosecuting attorneys and on-site
physicians, work together to reduce the trauma of physical and sexual abuse;
where victimization is transformed into empowerment.
 A
full member of the
National Children's Alliance
The Problem -- In The United States
- Over 1 million victims a year report domestic violence.
- Violence occurs in 1/2 of relationships.
- Over 700,000 women report being raped or sexually assaulted
annually.
- 2 million children are abused in their own homes every year.
- 1,200 to 2,000 of these children die as a result of this abuse.
- As many as 10% of the elderly are abused by their adult children.
The Center Against Family Violence's Approach
- Front line police officers gather evidence in a non-threatening
manner.
- Immediate on-scene crisis intervention from trained victim
assistance volunteers.
- Medical attention provided on-site to physical and sexual assault
victims.
- One time video interviews with victims to avoid re-traumatization.
- Five agencies, government and non-profit working in complete
cooperation, in one location.
- Safe and nurturing environment for victims and families.
 Protection and Investigation
As the lead agency for the CAFV, The City of Mesa Police
Department has designed a unique, community-oriented,
collaborative approach to investigating and intervening in domestic
violence, adult and child sexual/physical abuse cases. Working with
Child Protective Services, the officers of the Mesa Police force are
specifically trained to be sensitive to, and knowledgeable of, the
trauma of family violence and cases of sexual/physical abuse of adults
and children. In response to recently enacted legislation, officers
sited at the Center are also responsible for notifying and educating the
community about the release of convicted sex offenders.
The Mesa Police Department - Redefining the role of
police in the investigation of family violence and sexual abuse.
 Prosecution
The office of the Maricopa County Attorney and the City
of Mesa Prosecutor's Office have jointly committed to
participate in the CAFV to improve the prosecution of misdemeanor and
felony cases involving domestic violence, adult and child
sexual/physical abuse. Additionally, the County Attorney's Victim/Witness
Bureau and the Office of the City Prosecutor's Victim
Rights Program provide legal and emotional support to victims
throughout the court process.
The court system - Working together to bring offenders to
justice.
 Medical Care
St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center provides
on-site medical services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Center
Against Family Violence for child physical and sexual abuse victims. The
Center Against Family Violence provides a comforting, nurturing
environment where medical examinations are conducted in a
non-threatening, confidential setting. The medical evaluation involves
forensic specimen retrieval and testing for sexually transmitted
diseases in addition to a thorough physical examination of the patient.
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Domestic Violence Unit of
Scottsdale Health Care provides medical & forensic examinations for
adult victims.
 Prevention and Victim Services
CPS and Victim's Services - The Arizona Department
of Economic Security - Child Protective Services, along with the Mesa
Police Department Victims Services/Victims Assistance programs, provide
on-site services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and
immediate intervention in cases of child neglect or abuse. Working with
the courts, the medical system and the police department, CPS and
Victims Services reflect the integrative approach that is the hallmark
of the CAFV.
Meeting the
emotional and human service needs of
families
in a community-based
system.
Victim Services
Literature:
Child
Safety Information
Coping with a
Traumatic Event
Domestic
Violence: The Hidden Crime
Grief Support
Groups
Helping a Child
Victim Become a Survivor
Protecting
Yourself From Domestic Violence
Surviving a Robbery
Surviving
Sexual Assault
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