Title
Victim Center Renovation Funding (Ordinance S-49114)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve Police Department funding for the Victim Center Renovation up to $550,000. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Police Department's Family Investigation Bureau (FIB) sees over 2,400 sexual and domestic violence victims every year, the most victims anywhere in the state, yet have one of the oldest facilities in the state. Victims of all races, gender identities, and ages visit the facility, often within hours after encountering severe physical and mental trauma. The FIB also serves vulnerable victims in the LGBTQ+ community, homeless populations, and sex trafficking victims. Trauma-informed care practices have advanced over the years and highlight the need for a safe comfortable environment for victims to recount the assault to officers and collect forensics related to these traumatic experiences. The FIB needs to continue to lead the state by facilitating an advocacy center that meets the unique and fragile needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
The standard practice changes made by the newer advocacy centers have not been incorporated into the Phoenix Family Advocacy Center. Currently, victims do not have a private location and must wait in a public waiting area with high foot traffic. This is not ideal, as many victims are experiencing a traumatic event and are attempting to gain a sense of dignity and control of their lives that have been turned upside down. Victims must also walk past the employee break rooms, offices, file rooms, and detective cubicles to reach the interview rooms. The victim center renovation will provide a more welcoming environment, with warmer interview rooms and a pass-through entryway into the Forensic Nurse Examination rooms, allowing victims to feel more safe and secure. The private rooms will also be the central area from which victims will be walked through the investigative process. The goal is to lead the state in how we serve, protect, and mend victims of sexual and domestic violence with our various partners and the Family Advocacy Center.
A donation of $550,000 from the Phoenix Police Foundation for the Victim Center Renovation was approved at the City Council formal meeting July 1, 2022. The Police Department would match the donation amount to allow for renovation of additional areas within the Family Investigation Bureau, to offset rising costs and to purchase cubicles, furniture, and technology for the renovations.
Financial Impact
Funding up to $550,000 is available in the Police Department's Budget.
Location
2120 N. Central Ave.
Council District: 4
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.