FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER ANNOUNCEMENT REMARKS OF SUFFOLK DISTRICT ATTORNEY DANIEL F. CONLEY 989 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE, ALLSTON-BRIGHTON NOVEMBER 13, 2003 Several months ago, my office and the Suffolk Children's Advocacy Center sponsored an event to raise awareness about what the CAC does. We had invited Mayor Menino to that event and, it was clear when I saw him, that he had had a tough day. I think the Mayor must have thought this would be a low-key event, because he seemed surprised that there were so many people in the room, all supporting the work of the CAC. When the speaking program began and the Mayor was waiting to be introduced, he leaned over to Susan Goldfarb and said, "You know something? I just had a real bad day, but this goes to show you, there's always something good happening in this city. This is a room full of hope!" Now, just a couple of days before, I had breakfast with the Mayor and told him that we were actively looking for a building for this project we had in mind. But I was as shocked as any when the Mayor stood up at the CAC event and made a commitment that he would help us find a building. What did not surprise me was that he kept his word, because Tom Menino always keeps his word. And so here we are today, marking what I consider to be an important new beginning for any and all of us who are committed to the simple idea that a home should be a safe, happy place for children and families. Right now, despite our best efforts, the system often forces victims to tell their stories over and over and go from place to place in search of needed services. Victims often get worn down and give up and the offender escapes accountability. The goals of the Family Justice Center are, first, to ensure that every mother, every child, every survivor and every family in crisis has a place to go where its safe, and where they will be given the most compassionate, competent and complete service possible. Second, by supporting victims from the outset, and putting all of these agencies in one place, we hope to close the various gaps in the system that abusers exploit. Criminal justice agencies play an important role, but we can't do it alone. We occupy just one end of the service spectrum. For victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse to escape abusive, controlling relationships, or overcome the emotional trauma of their abuse, issues of economic self-sufficiency, physical and mental health, housing, education and other services must be readily accessible. Soon, they will be, right here at the Family Justice Center. Months from now, when this center opens, victims and families in crisis will find under one roof police and prosecutors, forensic medical services, clinicians, school assignment personnel, indoor play space for children, a dining room, counseling, faith-based services and an array of state and local services. The Family Justice Center's beauty is that it does not require a lot of new resources, but it does require some. So I am calling upon Boston's business community, its medical service providers, state and local agencies and all people who share our vision to support this effort - from preparing this building for the work that will be done, to supplies, to operational costs, to volunteers - we need your help. Finally, I want to send a message to every resident of Suffolk County. No matter who you are or where you are from, no matter how you define your family, if your family is in crisis, if you are a victim of abuse - this is where you are welcome and this is where you belong! There is a lot of work ahead of us, but I am so excited because we are off to a tremendous start. As Susan mentioned, the phrase I repeat over and over is that all success is shared. So it's only right that I acknowledge a number of people who have been critical in leading us to this point, and I apologize in advance to anyone I miss. Mayor Menino's contribution of this building, and the commitment he has made even beyond that are tremendous and we are so grateful. I also want to mention key members of his administration who have been involved and supportive: Martha Pierce, Michael Contampassis, Michael Kineavy, John Auerbach at the Public Health Commission, and Marie Turley from the Women's Commission. I also want to thank the City of San Diego, which not only gave us the original idea for the Family Justice Center, but also gave us Boston School Superintendent Tom Payzant. (San Diego was the first place he was Superintendent of schools.) Michael Contampassis at the Boston Schools also deserves very special thanks for his help and support. I want to thank Commissioner Paul Evans, but really don't know where to begin. I think it is so befitting that his last official act as Commissioner is leading the Boston Police Department into this initiative. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think that Paul Evans is simply the best police Commissioner in America today and I am sad to see him go. Also from the Boston Police Department, I want to recognize and thank Lt. Detective Margot Hill who was the first to bring this model to our attention, as well as Deputy Superintendent Pat Crossen, and Lt. Detective Gary French. The Governor's Office, through Lt. Governor Kerry Healy has been a strong advocate of the Family Justice Center model and is, in fact, a partner in this endeavor, as are the Executive offices they lead. First among them are Harry Spence at DSS and John O'Brien the Commissioner of Probation. Also deserving recognition are Cathy Greene and the good people at Jane Doe who have shared their insights and perspective, as well as Marylou Sudders of MSPCC who is a longtime partner with my office and the Children's Advocacy Center. The leaders of Boston's great hospitals have also committed their support so we thank: James Mandell of Children's Hospital; Elaine Ullian of Boston Medical Center; Peter Slavin of Mass. General Hospital; Thomas O'Donnell of New England Medical Center; Gary Gottlieb of Brigham and Women's Hospital; and Paul Levy of Beth Israel Deaconess. Finally, I want to acknowledge the incredibly hard work of the staff at the Suffolk District Attorney's Office, and in particular Susan Goldfarb, Kara Hayes, David Deakin, Susan Hoye, and Lucia Campriello. Again, this is a very exciting day, but not nearly as exciting as one just a few months down the road where we cut a ribbon and declare the Family Justice Center open and operational. Thank you all.