San Mateo County is taking a significant step toward consolidating services for victims of interpersonal violence with the launch of its first Family Justice Center. The center is designed as a multi-disciplinary hub to streamline the support process for those affected by crimes such as sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. This initiative aims to minimize the distress victims experience by reducing the times they retell their traumatic experiences and the number of locations they must visit to get help, as reported by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Per the guidance from Alliance For Hope International, the county's top brass, including Chief Executive Officer Michael Callagy, have entrusted the District Attorney's Office with the responsibility of building and running the Family Justice Center. Located at 1510 Fashion Island Boulevard, it will also house the San Mateo County Child Advocacy Center, which is set to relocate there permanently.
At the helm of this new center is Director Peggy Sherbon, whose career in victim advocacy started in the Bonner County Prosecutor's Office in 2005. Rising through the ranks to develop the LillyBrooke Family Justice Center in Idaho, Sherbon brings her expertise, informed by a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Public Administration from Purdue University, to San Mateo. "At the District Attorney’s Office, we are excited to welcome Ms. Sherbon to lead our new Family Justice Center and better serve victims and their families," detailed a statement from the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
