Mayor Andy Berke and other city officials visited the future Family Justice Center on Wednesday
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke on Wednesday toured the future Family Justice Center which is currently under construction in an existing building at 911 Eastgate Loop. Mayor Berke was joined by City Council District 6 Representative Dr. Carol Berz, as well as Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher and Assistant Chief Tracy Arnold, Family Justice Center Director Dr. Valerie Radu, FJC partners from Helen Ross McNabb, and city of Chattanooga Chief Operating Officer Maura Sullivan.
The future Family Justice Center began construction earlier this year and is slated to open by the end of October. The Family Justice Center is currently residing in a temporary location at 5741 Cornelison Road until the permanent location is open.
"Domestic violence is a real issue in our country, state, and city," said Mayor Berke. "We know that nationally, one in three women will experience some type of violence at the hands of her partner, at some point in her lifetime. And currently here in Chattanooga, over 30 percent of our total violence crime is family violence or sexual assault. This is unacceptable."
Mayor Berke continued to explain the importance of having one place for survivors of family violence to go to obtain the services.
"We want to ensure that survivors have a convenient and welcoming place to get the help they need," said Mayor Berke.
In addition, Mayor Berke talked to the group about the economic impact of family violence and praised the hard work of his Council for Women, which is co-chaired by Councilwoman Berz and Rep. JoAnne Favors.
Dr. Valerie Radu, executive director of the FJC, provided the tour of the under-construction center, pointing out where each partner office would be located and praising both the design of the Center as well as the co-location of services.
"Having so many partner organizations in one place means survivors don’t have to experience the frustration of going to several different places," said Dr. Radu. "And not only will the FJC make it more convenient for survivors to access services, this space was designed to make people feel comfortable and welcoming."
During the tour, CPD Chief Fletcher discussed the changes currently underway in the police department to provide more services to victims, including the recent hire of Caroline Huffaker as victim services coordinator and two new positions on the horizon.
In the summer of 2013, the city of Chattanooga received a three-year grant to research a Family Justice Center to serve the area. An advisory committee conducted research and held several public forums throughout the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014. In August of 2014, the city hired Dr. Valerie Radu as executive director.
If you or someone you know is suffering from family violence, please call the LOCAL Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault CRISIS HOTLINE at 755-2700. Help is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and it’s completely confidential.