Dear John —

My inbox is flooded with countless emails from those victimized by crime in San Francisco, yet 90% of victims never receive services from the City. With crime on the rise, domestic violence in particular, many victims of crime feel that they have nowhere to turn. We need a system that supports victims so they get the help they deserve.

Victims’ services are currently housed in multiple City departments and accessing them can be complicated and taxing, resulting in many victims not getting the support they need. We cannot continue to place more burdens on those suffering by expecting victims to navigate the current, complex system– especially when they are at their most vulnerable.

This lack of support is inexcusable and is especially concerning in cases of domestic violence when charges are not filed against abusers. The long-term, ongoing effect this has on victims and their families, particularly for women and children, must be addressed. Without appropriate interventions, victims of domestic violence often become trapped in a perpetuating cycle of abuse which is likely to escalate.

It is with those victims in mind that I am working to create a new Office of Victim and Witness Rights that will appear on your ballot this June.

This measure will provide much-needed support for all victims of crime in our City and give all victims of domestic violence the right to civil counsel to protect them.

By passing this measure, we can make a difference in the lives of victims of crime when they need help the most.

Join me in helping San Francisco crime victims – make a donation to the campaign to pass this important measure.  There are no contribution limits, so no amount is too big or too small.

It's time we stand up for victims of crime and domestic violence in San Francisco.

Warm regards,

Catherine Stefani
http://www.supervisorstefani.com/