Do not gamble with your future. Accusations related to domestic violence can be devastating to you, your family and your career. Once an accusation is made it is critical that you have a knowledgeable expert on your side.
Our Domestic Violence lawyers includes three former prosecutors, a former police officer and attorneys educated at the country’s top law schools. We fight domestic violence charges—often resulting in dismissal, acquittal or reduced charges.
There are different kinds of services and resources available throughout the Bay Area to assist families and couples who are dealing with conflict. There are services that focus on assisting victims, those that focus on helping offenders, and those that work with entire families. Even though the courts do look positively on defendants who take action to address their issues, that is not the only reason to access these kinds of services – at Summit Defense Attorneys, we know that when clients and their loved ones are able to access the help that they need to work on their relationships, it keeps families together.
In this section, we outline some of the groups and organizations that offer domestic violence-related services throughout the Bay Area. You do not need a referral and can approach these providers on your own. However, these services do NOT provide legal assistance – if you are facing a criminal charge or someone is applying to have a restraining order made against you, you should contact a Summit Defense attorney immediately for help with your case.
Navigating the vast amount of information and resources across the Bay Area and Northern California can be difficult. If you’re not sure what kind of service or help you need, you can contact the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence – they do not provide services, but can refer you to service providers across the state.
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 1798
Sacramento, CA 95812-1798
Toll Free: 800-524-4765
Phone: 916-444-7163
Fax: 916-444-7165
There are countless counseling services available for individuals, partners, and families. Many counselors specialize in helping families deal with conflict, and others specialize in dealing with either offenders or victims of domestic violence. An important thing to consider when choosing a counselor is not only their background and expertise, but whether you feel comfortable talking to them and are being treated in a non-judgmental and helpful way.
Some specialist counseling services in the area can be accessed as follows:
Stand! For Families Free of Violence – an organization in Contra Costa County that provides services for men, women, and children affected by family violence.
1410 Danzig Plaza, Suite 100
Concord, CA 94520
Telephone: +1 925 676 2845
Crisis Line: +1 888 215 5555
FAX: +1 925 676 0532
Marin Abused Women’s Services – provides services and support group for women, and also a men’s program.
734 A Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 457-2464
Fax: (415) 457-6457
TTY: (415) 457-2421
CORA: Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse – services for women and children, in English and Spanish.
2211 Palm Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Business Line: 650-652-0800
Fax: 650-652-0808
Alameda Family Services – counseling available for individuals, couples, and families.
2325 Clement Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 629-6300
Community United Against Violence – provides counselling services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender victims of domestic violence.
Crisis line (415) 333-HELP
427 South Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94103
ph: (415) 777-5500
fax: (415) 777-5565
While everyone gets angry from time to time, some people are more easily frustrated and can seem to ‘fly off the handle’ – even if they later regret it. Anger management courses can be particularly helpful for individuals who have trouble in dealing with and expressing their emotions by helping you to learn more peaceful tactics for responding to conflict and frustrating situations.
There are many anger management courses that are run regularly across the Bay Area – a simple internet search should turn up many in your area, and some are listed below:
Abuse, Violence & Anger Cessation Alliance – programs for people who have problems with anger or violence.
342A – 9th Street, Suite 218
San Francisco, CA 94103
Main: (415) 553‐7825
Fax: (415) 553‐7825
Axis Community Health Mental Health Services – offers a 20 week anger management course, as well as counseling for adults, couples, families, and children.
Address: 4361 Railroad Avenue Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone: (925) 201-6240
“VIP” Violence Intervention Program – a program of the Public Health department, they provide mental health services for trauma survivors and perpetrators.
Community Justice Center
555 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
ph: (415) 292-2565
There are supportive organizations across the Bay Area that provide short-term accommodation, transitional housing, and other assistance for people who want to leave a violent home situation. These places are generally open to women and children, and provide a secure place to stay for a short period of time. There are also many services that cater to particular groups or provide services in languages other than English.
The Riley Center | Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence – help with transitional housing, as well as counselling and support services.
St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco
crisis line (415) 831-3535
1175 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
ph: (415) 552-2943 x206
fax:(415) 552.0337
Asian Women’s Shelter – Provide emergency shelter, support, and counselling, with specialized services for non-English speaking Asian women and their children.
Crisis line (415) 751-0880
3543 18th Street, #19
San Francisco, CA 94110
ph: (415) 751-7110
fax: (415) 751- 0806
W.O.M.A.N., Inc. – city-wide San Francisco service that provides shelter availability information, and has special programs for lesbians and Latina women.
Crisis line (415) 864-4722
333 Valencia, Suite 251
San Francisco, CA 94103
ph: (415) 864-4777
fax: (415) 864-1082
Midway Shelter of Alameda – housing and assistance for women and children suffering from homelessness and domestic violence.
24 hour service: 1-866-A WAY OUT (1-866-292-9688)
Questions: (510) 523-2377 or (510) 357-0205 ext.206
A Safe Place – comprehensive domestic violence services in Oakland for women, girls, and children.
Tel: 510.986.8600
Fax: 510.986.8606
24-Hour Crisis Line: 510.536.7233
Building Futures – provides emergency, temporary, and short-term housing for women and children leaving family violence.
1395 Bancroft Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94577
Main Line: 510-357-0205
Fax: 510-357-0688
24-Hour Toll Free Crisis Line
1-866-A-WAY-OUT
1-866-292-9688
Parenting Assistance
Children can sometimes witness violence and conflict in the home, such as between their parents, or between their parents and new partners. Many service providers provide special programs for children, or will be able to refer you to services that specialize in counselling and helping children to deal with witnessing trauma and conflict. There are also several service providers who specialize in parenting assistance, helping people adjust to being parents, and helping parents develop co-parenting strategies after separation.
Building Futures – has a specialized children’s program.
1395 Bancroft Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94577
Main Line: 510-357-0205
Fax: 510-357-0688
24-Hour Toll Free Crisis Line
1-866-A-WAY-OUT
1-866-292-9688
APA – Family Support Services – provides home visitation to at-risk Asian families with children 0-5; parenting education and victim support services.
10 Nottingham Place
San Francisco, CA 94133
ph: (415) 206-5450
fax: (415) 206-4778
Family Paths – offices in Oakland, Fremont, and Hayward. Provide family support, counseling services, and parenting classes, as well as referral to other service providers.
24-hour support and referrals: 1800-829-3777
Feel free to contact us at 800-929-0451 for a Free Case Review or schedule a consultation online.
As the largest defense firm in the Bay Area, our Domestic Violence lawyers specialize in defending domestic violence cases. We believe that families have a right to sort out their own problems, and we do not want our clients to bear the burden of an unfair criminal conviction. Our first and foremost goal is the complete dismissal of charges. This is why we do everything possible to have these matters dismissed by the DA before charges are filed, and when necessary, vigorously defend domestic violence accusations in court.
