Broomfield DA Announces Urgent Family Justice Center for Victims

UPDATE: The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Colorado has just announced a groundbreaking initiative to open a family justice center in 2024 aimed at supporting victims of domestic violence. District Attorney Brian Mason revealed this plan at a media event, emphasizing the urgent need to address one of the most pressing public safety challenges in the nation.

This family justice center will be located at the Adams County Human Services Center at 11860 N. Pecos St., Westminster, and will provide victims with essential services all under one roof. These services include legal aid, housing assistance, counseling, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy support. “The most dangerous time in the life of a victim of domestic violence can be when she is trying to get out,” Mason stated, highlighting the critical need for streamlined access to support.

Currently, victims face numerous obstacles in seeking help, often requiring multiple trips to different offices across various locations. Mason pointed out that issues such as finding child care can further complicate their ability to access necessary resources. The new center aims to eliminate these barriers and make support more accessible to those in need.

Mason’s office has been actively addressing domestic violence since he took office in 2021. He has established a special victims unit focused on domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Moreover, a domestic violence high-risk team has been created to assess and respond to situations that exhibit lethality factors, providing immediate assistance to victims at critical junctures.

“There is rarely a room that you are in where someone hasn’t been impacted by domestic violence,” Mason added. He emphasized the importance of the family justice center, stating, “The need to serve victims of domestic violence exists now — it existed yesterday, it existed five years ago.” The temporary facility is set to open next year, with plans for a permanent location still in the works.

As this initiative unfolds, it reflects a growing recognition of the widespread impact of domestic violence on individuals and communities alike. The proposed family justice center in Westminster is poised to become a vital resource for survivors in Adams and Broomfield counties.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as officials work towards launching this critical support center for domestic violence victims.