Our Mission

Vision
A community of healthy, violence-free relationships and families. An organization which embraces collaboration and exchange, controversy and creativity, and at its core - change. An organization which values the diverse community we live in; bringing that diversity into the work of the Council, and implementing programs and policies which communicate respect for that diversity.

Mission
To develop, promote and enhance creative prevention and effective intervention initiatives which will reduce the amount of violence in intimate relationships; to bring people together - in coalitions and committees - to build healthy families in San Diego County.

WHAT IS THE SAN DIEGO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL?

The San Diego Domestic Violence Council was established in 1989 by a county-wide network of battered women's programs, criminal justice agencies, and other organizations and individuals who shared the common goal of ending violence against women and children in the City and County of San Diego.

The Council's stated purpose is to have a community of healthy, violence-free relationships and families in San Diego County by:

- Developing, promoting and enhancing creative prevention and effective intervention initiatives which will reduce the amount of violence in intimate relationships.
- Bringing people together - in coalitions and committees - to build healthy families in San Diego.

The Council is made up of over 100 member organizations. We have an Executive Committee consisting of a President, Past President, President Elect, Treasurer and Member-at-Large. The Executive Committee is guided by the Council’s Board of Directors, whose members include committee chairs and advisory representatives. Both the Executive Committee and Board of Directors are staffed by a full-time Executive Coordinator.

The Council has the following Committees:

- Child Abuse & Domestic Violence
- DV Audit
- East County Task Force
- Facilitator Training
- Grants & Data Gathering
- Law Enforcement
- Legal Action
- Medical
- Men's Leadership Forum
- Military
- North County DV Coalition
- Ramona Task Force
- Shelter & Support Services
- Treatment & Intervention
- Treatment & Monitoring

WHY WAS THE COUNCIL FORMED?

Statistics on the prevalence of domestic violence are staggering. A woman is beaten by her intimate partner every fifteen seconds. More than 4,000 women have been beaten to death annually by their partners and 3.3 to 10 million children in the United States witness domestic violence in their home yearly. Six children in every classroom witness domestic violence and four of these six children are direct victims of abuse and/or neglect. Fifty percent of men who beat their partners also batter their children.

Violence usually escalates over time, leading in some instances to homicide. Women are trapped by a number of economic, social, religious, cultural, and emotional barriers in relationships with partners who are usually expert at convincing a woman that "it will never happen again." Fear is the number one trap. Women are in the most danger when leaving the batterer. FBI statistics stated that 30 percent of female homicide victims are killed by intimate partners.

Domestic Violence happens in every socioeconomic group. It can happen to anyone. It is estimated that there is some physical violence in more than 40 percent of all marriages in the U.S. Since battering is considered one of our nation's most under reported crimes, these figures are actually conservative.

San Diego is no exception. Every year law enforcement agencies within the City and County of San Diego respond to over 20,000 calls of domestic violence. Seventy-four percent of women who go to San Diego shelters bring their children.

WHAT IS THE COUNCIL DOING ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Together the Council works to:

- Share information about domestic violence with battered women and concerned friends and family through telephone advocacy and empowerment groups;
- Provide educational and training programs to people who work with battered women and children (police, doctors, teachers, and counselors);
- Study and respond to local, state and federal government policies, and legislation regarding domestic violence.

What Can You Do About It?

Offer help, a hotline number, a safe place to a battered woman and children.
Volunteer at a local domestic violence program.

Remind legislators that you are concerned about domestic violence and about state and federal support for battered women's programs.

Encourage your business/organization to support the Council's efforts.