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One Safe Place South Celebrates One Year Serving the Community

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the one-year anniversary of One Safe Place – The South County Family Justice Center, in National City today which has served 2,018 guests in its first year, one third of whom returned for additional services such as case management, housing connections, restraining order assistance, food, clothing and therapy.

Other services provided during the first year include:

  • Delivered 11,638 services to victims through advocates and case managers.
  • Provided approximately 3,567 legal services, including attorney consultations and assistance with restraining orders, move-out orders and child custody orders, and facilitated hearings through the One Safe Place Remote Courtroom.
  • Provided 512 trauma therapy sessions to members.
  • Conducted 89 forensic interviews and 79 forensic exams.
  • Connected 170 members with emergency and permanent housing.
  • Served 680 children in the center’s child waiting area.
  • Distributed 561 pet supplies and food items.
  • Provided 21 Faraday bags, which help protect victims’ electronic devices from being tracked.
  • Received more than 1,127 calls through the One Safe Place reception helpline.

“One Safe Place South is much more than a building,” DA Stephan said. “It’s a place where victims and survivors of all types of crimes can find the help and protection they need within a Family Justice Center built on hope, healing, and justice. This evidence-based model helps safeguard victims, protect children and seniors, prevent homelessness driven by domestic violence and human trafficking, and break the generational cycles of trauma that contribute to incarceration and victimization. We want the community to know that help is here, and we remain committed to providing these services for years to come.”

Since opening last October, One Safe Place South has served the people of South San Diego County, including guests who traveled from El Cajon, with a variety of support and legal services. Located at 401 Mile of Cars Way in National City, One Safe Place provides no-cost crisis intervention services to anyone who has experienced family violence, child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crimes, elder abuse, human trafficking, violent loss, or other crimes. Child and long-term victims of abuse and their families will be assessed for risk and need and can receive acute crisis-care, forensic medical exams, advocacy, counseling, therapy, legal services like restraining orders, connections to a safe shelter and housing, long term mentoring, workforce readiness, clothing, and educational opportunities, all under one roof.

One Safe Place South joined One Safe Place North, which opened in San Marcos in 2022. Together, they have served a total of 16,387 first-time guests.

One Safe Place offers a welcoming environment to those in an already stressful situation. Guests shared how One Safe Place South has impacted their lives over the past year:

“I came in having no idea what to expect but ended up feeling heard and cared for. Everyone involved listened without judgment and offered advice and resources. I’m so grateful for everyone here and the assistance offered.” – anonymous guest

“I don’t know where my kids and I would be without the help I got here. OSPS gave me hope when I felt like I had nothing. When I first walked into OSPS, I felt completely overwhelmed and unsure of how to start rebuilding my life. This place made me feel less alone and more capable. I finally feel safe, my kids are thriving, and I’m truly proud of how far we’ve come.” – anonymous guest

One Safe Place is part of the Family Justice Center Alliance. The Family Justice Center model has been identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the United States Department of Justice. One Safe Place is host to an onsite Trauma Recovery Center designated by California’s Victim Compensation Board and two accredited Child Advocacy Centers.

Individuals can contact either location of One Safe Place at gethope@OSPsandiegocounty.gov or at 888-440-HOPE (4673). One Safe Place South is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.

More information is available at www.OSPsandiegocounty.gov

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