Partner Agencies come together to make Victims the Priority at FACES
On April 18, the WCA joined other partner agencies at the Ada County Family Justice Center (FACES) for a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce expanded services for victims of family violence, child abuse and sexual assault – just as the most recent local crime statistics show domestic violence is on the rise.
In an effort to stop the cycle of violence, the Boise Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Victim Witness Unit, along with a deputy prosecutor from the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, have joined other specially trained staff, including WCA Victim Advocates, onsite at FACES.
“With these resources, we’re making Boise a place that’s different, a place where victims come first,” said Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower.
Bower noted it has been a dream and a goal of his staff to have a central location where governmental, medical and non-profit support all come together to make victims’ needs the priority in the most sensitive of crimes.
“The children who come to FACES will learn police, doctors, nurses, counselors, we’re here to help them. They’ll learn that the violence they witnessed between mom and dad is not okay. They’ll learn better ways to cope with stress and struggles other than through violence,” said Boise Chief of Police Michael Masterson.
All agencies hope the event brought renewed public attention to the issue of domestic violence and helps inform victims of the additional services available to them at one, safe, easy to access location.
See more photos from the ceremony and open house here!
About FACES
The Ada County Family Justice Center, FACES, was created to be a safe haven for victims of domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual assault. The services housed at FACES offer access to safety planning and referral services through a WCA Victim Advocate, forensic exams for both adults and children, non-forensic medical exams for adults, civil legal services, victim witness services from the Boise City Attorney’s Office, and domestic violence education. A team of Health and Welfare assessment workers are also housed at FACES.
Now, with this addition of services from the Boise Police Department’s Special Victims and Victim Witness Units and the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, this collaboration of services will help provide victims the right resources right away.
FACES is located at 417 S 6th St, Boise, ID 83702
208-577-4400
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