Santa Clara County Municipal Code Ch. XVII Domestic Violence Council

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Section 1 of Ord. No. NS-300.475 added Ch. XVI to this division, which the editor has renumbered Ch. XVII since the division already contained a Ch. XVI.

There is hereby established a Domestic Violence Council, whose goal is to end domestic violence in Santa Clara County. The general purposes of the Council shall be to advise the Board of Supervisors on matters that help assure safety and restoration for victims of domestic violence, cessation of the violence, and accountability for batterers. To accomplish these purposes, the Council shall:

(a) Improve coordination among agencies, departments, the courts, and members of the community in matters of family violence and abuse.

(b) Promote effective prevention, intervention and treatment techniques, which will be developed based upon research and data collection.

(c) Improve the response to domestic violence and abuse so as to reduce incidents thereof.

(d) Educate the public about the need to end domestic violence.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91; Ord. No. NS-300.535, § 1, 8-17-93; Ord. No. NS-300.579, 11-7-95; Ord. No. NS-300.790, § 1, 3-18-08)

The membership of the Council shall consist of the following 22 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors:

(a) Three representatives shall be from battered women's shelters.

(b) Two judges from the Santa Clara County Superior Court, consisting of one judge from the Family Court and one from the Criminal Court.

(c) A representative, at a policy-making level, from each of the following public safety and human services organizations or interest areas:

(1) Probation Department;

(2) Public Defender's Office;

(3) District Attorney's Office;

(4) Pretrial Services;

(5) Sheriff's Office;

(6) Santa Clara County Police Chief's Association;

(7) San Jose Police Department;

(8) Social Services Agency;

(9) Batterer's Treatment Program;

(10) Former Victim of Domestic Violence;

(11) Santa Clara County or Silicon Valley Bar Association;

(12) Victim-Witness Assistance;

(13) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community;

(14) Medical Community;

(15) The Family Law Bar;

(16) Children's Issues; and

(17) Immigrant Voices.

(d) The term of office of each member shall be three years; provided, the members first appointed shall classify themselves by lot in accordance with Section 506 of the County Charter. No member shall be eligible to serve on the Council for more than three consecutive terms in addition to any portion of any unexpired term that may be served.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91; Ord. No. NS-300.506, § 1, 9-1-92; Ord. No. NS-300.510, § 1, 12-15-92; Ord. No. NS-300.607, § 7, 1-13-98; Ord. No. NS-300.620, § 1, 12-8-98; Ord. No. NS-300.790, § 2, 3-18-08; Ord. No. NS-300.824, § 1, 8-10-10; Ord. No. NS-300.844, § 1, 9-13-11)

The Director of the Office of Women's Policy or designee shall be ex officio secretary of the Council and shall be responsible for providing secretarial assistance to the Council.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91; Ord. No. NS-300.813, 4-13-10)

The Council shall meet as provided in Section A6-3 of the Ordinance Code.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91; Ord. No. NS-300.510, § 2, 12-15-92; Ord. No. NS-300.515, § 8, 5-18-93)

The following shall be the duties of the Council:

(a) Examine ways in which agencies, departments and the courts in Santa Clara County respond to domestic violence and abuse in order to improve that response.

(b) Improve the cooperation and coordination among all the participants in the justice system who deal with domestic violence and abuse.

(c) Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, agencies, departments, the courts and others regarding improving the response to domestic violence and abuse.

(d) Examine and review legislation that relates to domestic violence and abuse and recommend appropriate action to the Board of Supervisors' Legislative Committee.

(e) To encourage and promote public awareness and education regarding domestic violence and abuse through such means as conferences and other public meetings.

(f) Address local, state, and federal reports relating to domestic violence and abuse and recommend changes in policy and procedures as appropriate.

(g) Form task forces or sub-committees to assist in planning, policy, goal and priority recommendations, and such other functions as the Council deems necessary.

(h) To make studies in the area of domestic violence that, in the judgment of the Council, will aid in effectuating its general purposes.

(i) Respond to related matters referred to the Council by the Board of Supervisors.

(j) Subject to the approval of the County Executive, to take any action for the purpose of furthering the objectives in this article by requesting information, funding, services, facilities and other assistance from County departments.

(k) With the approval of the Board of Supervisors, participate in and undertake projects, meet the goals and objectives of such projects, and address all elements and fulfill all requirements of agencies funding such projects.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91; Ord. No. NS-300.535, § 2, 8-17-93; Ord. No. NS-300.790, § 3, 3-18-08)

The Council shall ensure that its activities do not conflict with those of other boards, commissions and councils in Santa Clara County. It shall endeavor to cooperate and coordinate with any other bodies with overlapping jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91)

Cross reference— Boards and commissions, Div. A6.

The Council shall report to the Board of Supervisors through the Public Safety and Justice Committee on its progress each year as required and shall indicate what it proposes to accomplish for the following year. Should the Council conclude that there is no further work for the Council, it shall report to the Board and request that the Council be disbanded.

(Ord. No. NS-300.475, § 1, 4-23-91; Ord. No. NS-300.790, § 4, 3-18-08)