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Domestic Violence

The Public Press first started covering the issue in “Domestic Violence: a City Responds,” a special reporting project in the Fall 2012 print edition, exposing holes in the tracking of criminal cases and the rate of prosecution for abuse within the home. The issue made headlines this year with a contentious criminal case against Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi. But we found that the District Attorney’s Office prosecutes fewer cases per capita than in any county in the Bay Area, and police say they cannot be sure of the accuracy of at least eight years of investigative records.

Domestic Violence

Ink drawing of a stenotype machine with hands disappearing

California’s Court Reporter Shortage Limits Access to Justice in Domestic Violence Cases

11.14.2023

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By Viji Sundaram, Reporter

Advocates for women’s and children’s rights say providing free or low-cost access to transcripts in hearings is key to equal justice. Unlike many states, California has in recent years repeatedly failed to guarantee adequate documentations of court proceedings, putting victims of domestic violence at a distinct legal disadvantage.

Despite failing for years to make transcripts standard practice, the Legislature may be headed for a breakthrough.

Law & Justice

At a news conference about the passage of Piqui's Law, three teenage girls and a middle school-aged boy stand behind a clear lectern holding microphones from news outlets and bearing the seal of the city of Pasadena. They and others in the crowd hold signs, some of which read "Governor Newsom: Please sign SB 331 (Rubio) Piqui's Law" and "Pass Piqui's Law (Senator Susan Rubio)." They are referring to a bill that was introduced by California State Sen. Susan Rubio.

Children Violently Removed by Court Order Celebrate New California Bill Prohibiting Practice

11.10.2023

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By Sylvie Sturm, Reporter / audio host

Two children who were violently removed from their grandmother’s Santa Cruz home in October 2022 and placed into a court-ordered program to recant parental abuse allegations celebrated a victory last month when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill prohibiting such programs.

On Oct. 13, Maya, 16, and Sebastian Laing, 12, and their allies celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 331, aka Piqui’s Law, which prohibits California family court judges from forcing kids into so-called reunification camps and ensures that judges and those serving as expert witnesses undergo critical training on domestic violence and child custody.

California

A girl dressed in black stands at a lectern where she is speaking. Her mother, also dressed in black, stands beside her. A few people sit behind them in theater-style seats.

State Bill to Keep Children Safe in Custody Battles Passes First Hurdle

04.27.2023

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By Viji Sundaram, Reporter

California’s Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday night unanimously endorsed a bill that would require what children’s advocates describe as crucial reforms to ensure children are safe amid contentious custody proceedings.

City Hall

City makes move to increase awareness of domestic violence

10.15.2012

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By Lissette Alvarez, Intern

Supervisor Eric Mar Monday unveiled new efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence. Working with the Department on the Status of Women, Mar focused on working through the city’s workforce to educate the public and to help those city employees who are victims themselves.

City Hall

Q&A: The Role That Culture Plays in the Response to Domestic Violence

10.08.2012

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By Ruth Tam, Multimedia Intern

Orchid Pusey, interim director of the Asian Women’s Shelter in San Francisco, says cultural differences can have a big influence on the attitudes and responses to domestic violence. She talked with San Francisco Public Press reporter Ruth Tam about the challenges facing service providers in the city. This story appeared as part of a special report on domestic violence in the Fall 2012 print edition of the San Francisco Public Press.

City Hall

Mirkarimi Case Brought Spotlight to Domestic Violence in San Francisco

10.04.2012

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By Christopher Peak, Reporter

As the city’s Ethics Commission debated whether Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi was fit to hold his elected position this past June, the complex game of personality, politics and procedure eclipsed larger policy questions about the city’s approach to handling thousands of cases of domestic violence each year. But advocates for victims said the hearings generated wider awareness of the problem of domestic violence.

City Hall

District Attorney to Examine Low Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases in San Francisco

10.03.2012

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By Noah Arroyo, Editor

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón said he is looking into why office’s prosecutions for domestic violence crimes was the lowest per capita in the Bay Area. His remarks came after a special report in the San Francisco Public Press on the handling of such cases by police and prosecutors.

News

San Francisco Trails Bay Area in Domestic Violence Prosecutions

09.24.2012

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By Christopher Peak, Reporter

Far fewer charged than across the region, even with strongly worded ‘no-drop’ guidelines
Though San Francisco’s so-called “no-drop” policy requires pressing domestic violence charges when evidence is sufficient to convict, the District Attorney’s Office pursued just 28 percent of cases through to trial or plea bargaining over the last 6 years. This story appeared as part of a special report on domestic violence in the Fall 2012 print edition of the San Francisco Public Press.