WILMINGTON — Funded by the New Hanover Community Endowment, a new facility is opening next month to help people experiencing abuse or facing violence obtain services and judicial help in one stop.
READ MORE: DA’s $5M community justice center aims to improve efficiency and increase service access
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The Community Justice Center will launch at the Harrelson Center, 410 Princess St., on Aug. 21. It’s supported by two grants: the DA’s office received $3.4 million and the Harrelson Center received $1.5 million to staff and outfit the center.
Modeled after the family justice center concept pioneered by President George H. Bush as a national initiative, the goal is to colocate prosecutors, law enforcement and nonprofits to provide victims with easier access to the services they seek. This includes counseling or obtaining a domestic violence protective order. It will open 24/7.
The downtown center will house representatives from Wilmington Police Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Novant Health, Legal Aid, Carousel Center, Rape Crisis Center at Coastal Horizons and Domestic Violence Shelter and Services.
As reported by PCD previously, the New Hanover County CJC will focus on “reluctant victims,” mainly women and children experiencing abuse. However, DA Ben David — who is retiring in September — said the CJC takes the model a step further, into what very few centers are doing, by targeting youth violence.
The grant funds eight new positions under the DA’s office, the center’s director and chief legal counsel positions, plus facility upgrades and supplies. Funding for the center has been allocated for three years; David hopes it will continue to receive money from the government in the long-term.
The DA told PCD earlier in the year justice center’s board of directors will choose its inaugural executive director.
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