As Domestic Abuse Spikes, Supervisors Create Team to Support Survivors at Highest Risk

San Mateo County supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to create a specialized teamto offer high-risk domestic violence survivors with urgent and coordinated interventions.

The Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will consist of survivor advocates, health professionals, legal aid professionals and law enforcement.

"The High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will provide immediate and specialized attention and offer survivors of domestic violence the coordinated support they need to find safety and thrive," said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who co-sponsored the resolution.

"This is one of the many initiatives to come out of the Domestic Violence Task Force we formed last year as we continue to coordinate efforts across agencies and implement best practices we're learning from other counties. We believe this team will literally save lives," Corzo said.

A grim reality prompted formation of the team: In 2023, five people were killed in San Mateo County as a result of domestic violence, and officials attribute two suicides to domestic violence, according to a report to the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council. In 2024, all five homicides in the city of San Mateo alone were domestic violence incidents.

"Sadly, many high risk DV cases also involve firearms," said Supervisor Dave Pine, a cosponsor of the item. "It is my hope that the MDT will allow for early identification of perpetrators who also have access to firearms and prevent some volatile and violent situations."

When individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms due to a restraining order, the San Mateo County Gun Violence Prevention Program can step in and remove the firearms, for example.

The team will be tasked with developing protocols and procedures for handling high-risk cases. Additional duties will include:

• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
• Using data to adjust response to improve outcomes.
• Identify service gaps.
• Reporting to the Domestic Violence Council at a minimum of semi-annually, advocating for necessary changes to enhance survivor safety and well-being.

High-risk cases often require immediate and focused attention, which can be challenging to coordinate quickly across different agencies and organizations. The Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will be better positioned to offer survivors timely and comprehensive support.

"Research has shown that intimate partner domestic violence homicides are often predictable," said Elisa Kuhl, victims services program manager for the District Attorney. "And if they're predictable, they're preventable."

Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
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