Why doesn’t she just leave? That’s what most people ask when they discuss domestic violence. The answer: because it might require visits to more than 20 (!) different state and social service agencies (especially if children are involved); countless lost time from work; and endless repetitions of her story in order to “just leave.” Back in 1989, San Diego City Attorney Casey Gwinn proposed to simplify the process with a “one stop shop” housing in one place all the agencies and service providers needed to handle domestic abuse cases. Called the Family Justice Center, there are now 35 FJCs
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