Politics & Government
Redwood Children's Center Relocates to Family Justice Center
RCC provides interviews of child victims and witnesses by a trained forensic interviewer, monitored and recorded by the law enforcement detective, a sexual assault prosecutor and a social worker.
District Attorney Jill Ravitch, Human Services Director Jerry Dunn and Health Services Director Rita Scardaci announce the relocation of the Redwood Children’s Center (RCC) to the Family Justice Center, located at 2755 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa.
RCC provides interviews of child victims and witnesses in a soft room by a trained forensic interviewer. The interviews are monitored and recorded by the law enforcement detective, a sexual assault prosecutor and a social worker. This method of interview reduces the number of times a child is questioned, and more often than not results in the resolution of a criminal case without the child having to come to court.
By locating this important service at the Family Justice Center (FJC), services are available onsite for all family members at a convenient location.
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Human Services Director Jerry Dunn was an early supporter of the move. “This collaboration with other private and public providers of services for victims of violence will enhance the services we have been providing at RCC.”
Health Services Director Rita Scardaci supports the relocation of RCC as well. “We are partnering with the Family Justice Center to enhance services at RCC, and to further develop behavioral health services for all segments of the population who access the FJC.”
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“We are now truly offering services for victims from youth to seniors,” said District Attorney Ravitch. “Wraparound services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse are available to citizens free of charge in one location.”
The Family Justice Center Sonoma County opened its doors in August 2011. Since that time, over 1,400 clients have received services. Onsite partners include YWCA, Verity, Council on Aging, Catholic Charities, Intertribal Council, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit and Santa Rosa Police Department’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit.
The DA’s Office also has Victim Advocates, DVSA prosecutors and an investigator onsite.
