September 19, 2023
City Council
DATE: September 19, 2023
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Bana, District 4
Subject:
Proclamation Recognizing October as Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
The City of Richmond has acknowledged Domestic
Violence Awareness Month and supports local nonprofits
that provide resources and education relative to domestic violence.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Domestic Violence against women is a public safety
issue.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION recognizing October as Domestic
Violence Awareness Month and proclaiming domestic
violence against women as a public safety issue - Mayor Martinez (510-620-6503) and Councilmember Bana (510-
672-3490).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond has continuously supported efforts to address domestic violence; specifically, against women and girls. Councilmember Soheila Bana is co-sponsoring a benefit concert with the Latina Center to bring awareness to domestic violence and to AGENDA
REPORT
September 19, 2023
provide a platform to survivors of domestic violence that have entered an art contest to create an image that will be used for the campaign to end domestic violence. The concert will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2019, in the Civic Center Plaza Courtyard from 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free and it is a family friendly community event.
¡Ya Basta! + Sin Miedo Enough is Enough!
• The ¡Ya Basta y Sin Miedo / Enough is Enough! movement is a bilingual arts & advocacy campaign and movement to end domestic violence in Richmond, the Bay Area, and beyond.
• It involves The Latina Center, Latina Community Leaders / Survivors, Latina Artists, Friends, and Community Partners.
• In partnership with City Councilmember Soheila Bana, Love Your Block, the City of Richmond, PoderArte, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and more partners, the movement is hosting a large free Benefit Concert at Richmond Civic Center Plaza on 9/30 when checks will be presented to the winners of the Art Contest.
• The Art Contest winner’s design will be a lasting symbol of peace and against domestic violence and will be displayed on banners and posters throughout the City during the month of October and beyond.
Upon review and staff response to the recommended policy action, Councilmember Bana will introduce a resolution to the Richmond City Council for adoption.
Potential City Actions:
The following are a list of actions that could be adopted to assist in impacting violence against women (Self-identifying and gender non-conforming). The City of Richmond will:
Data Collection & Policy
Update the City’s existing data portal to include an overview on Violence Against Women and Marginalized Gender Identities;
Collect and analyze data on violence against women to understand the scale and nature of the problem. This data can inform evidence-based policies and interventions to combat violence and monitor progress over time; Collaborate with County and regional staff to ensure that sexual assault cases are being processed in a timely manner. (Chief, I don’t know if they are now caught up with this – just checking. If not we can remove this.) Identify existing city resources allocated to violence against women and gender non-confirming people;
Work with labor and with city agencies to promote a zero tolerance violence harassment policy at city facilities;
September 19, 2023
Public Awareness:
Highlight the resources provided by the Family Justice Center to city frontline staff, and ensure resource materials are available for those who may come in contact with individuals needing service;
Work with local housing providers, schools, faith communities and community groups to support raising awareness around human trafficking, intimate partner violence, family violence, community violence and sexual assault; Create an updated resource hub on the City’s portal to share resources, information and upcoming events;
Work with City IT staff and the Public Information Officer to identify a opt in community text education program to get updates regarding such events and resources;
Advertise the police department’s “TEXT 911” feature which allows those experiencing intimate partner violence to report crime discretely;
Housing, Employment & Resources
Employment and housing access often make it difficult for women and survivors of violence to flee abuse and creates increased risk for women being impacted by homelessness;
Identify existing and future resources to assist in housing access for survivors of violence;
Update the Health in All Policies Action (HIAP) plan (informed by the housing element) to identify opportunities to improve housing access for women and children impacted by family violence;
Collaborate with Contra Costa County to identify regional housing opportunities for those experiencing intimate partner violence;
Identify one round of Love Your Block dedicated to fund services to support safety support for women and gender nonconforming people Utilize existing data and resources within the city’s current unhoused interventions to identify to prioritize the needs of unhoused women and people of marginalized gender identities;
Consider the Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce recommendation for universal basic income and include woman and those of marginalized gender identities who experience violence;
Create a nexus between Richmond Works and the Family Justice Center to help improve income outcomes for women experiencing intimate partner violence and human trafficking;
September 19, 2023
Review and adopt community recommendations provided by the District Attorney’s Officer Human Trafficking Taskforce;
Enhancing Infrastructure and Public Transit
Expand Flock Safety and improve lighting in corridors impacted by Human Trafficking;
Identify and prioritize lighting improvement in areas with high residential high density census tracts;
Expanding CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) in all new projects and in high priority existing projects. Design and maintain public spaces that are safe and inclusive for women and those of marginalized gender identities. This can involve ensuring adequate lighting, open and transparent design, and the presence of security personnel. This includes ensuring well-lit streets and pathways, accessible public facilities, and safe routes for women to walk or commute.
Training
The City will evaluate and expand culturally competent training models for first line staff that may interact with the public of domestic violence and sexual assault;
Continue and expand threat assessment protocols training for new and continuing public safety staff;
Continue and expand training for law enforcement on intimate partner violence and stalking;
Ensure that appropriate city staff receives updated training on VAWA (The Violence Against Women Act), enacted in 1994 which supports comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation
Attachment 2 – Ya Basta Y Sin Miedo Enough is Enough Press Release Attachment 3 – Concert Flyer