Survivors of violence gather at Capitol calling for more funding toward community solutions

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The most important aspect of crime prevention and trauma care for victims is increasing government spending on community-led programs, according to Californians for Safety and Justice executive director Tinisch Hollins.

She was joined outside the Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday by not only advocates statewide but Attorney General Rob Bonta as well.

"Community-led intervention and rehabilitation is a vital part of public safety," Bonta said at the news conference. "It's something that has become more painfully obvious as the pandemic has curtailed access to community resources."

Like Californians for Safety and Justice, other nonprofit community groups statewide said they'd like to see more investment toward trauma victims and other survivors of violence.

The problem

Hollins said safety is the top political issue for her community and too much money is going toward law enforcement rather than prevention.

"They're ready to bring back tougher penalties and longer sentences, and they're working hard to convince us that being tough on crime is somehow going to stop people from committing them," Hollins said. "I'm here to call bulls---."

She said residents are more informed than ever about violence in their communities due to social media.

"We're all tired of the bad news," Hollins said. "Your tough on crime strategies did not give us justice or safety in our communities."

The proposed solutions

Bonta said he agreed with the sentiments of the community leaders beside him, and that community-centered programs make a difference.

The crime prevention, intervention and healing services that he said plays an important role include:

• Trauma informed care
• Direct wrap-around services
• California victim compensation
• Culturally competent care
• Language access

"We can and must do more," Bonta said. "I'm proud of our victims services unit that we've expanded and beefed up to provide more services to victims in need."

Democratic State Senator Connie Leyva, of Chino, said her recent bill, SB299, would eliminate obstacles preventing people from accessing the California Victims Compensation Board ― specifically when it comes to police violence.

Leyva said police reports are often required to file a grievance with the victims compensation board, and that her bill would create other means of proving victimization and trauma.

"Why would any crime victim be cooperative with law enforcement if law enforcement re-victimizes them?" said Democratic State Senator Nancy Skinner, of Berkeley.

Founder of youth empowerment organization US 4 US, "Uncle" Damien Posey said throughout his life he was shot five times and incarcerated for 120 months.

Love and support from his community played a bigger role in his rehabilitation than any assistance from "the system."

"It isn't the system that should receive the majority of the funding and the supports, but the people," Posey said.

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