Despite a significant investment of $350,000, a recent study funded by the city of San Jose to explore community-based alternatives for addressing domestic violence has come up short on actionable solutions. The city had initially allocated $400,000 for the research project titled “Community-Led Solutions to Domestic Violence,” which was aimed at developing methods to support survivors without involving law enforcement. The study, released on May 20, was conducted by a nonprofit organization based outside the city, which carried out surveys and interviews with 138 individuals including domestic violence survivors, community leaders, and service providers.
The findings reveal that while San Jose has made progress in creating culturally responsive support systems, many survivors remain unaware of existing resources. Services are also limited for individuals with disabilities or mental health issues, and the demand for housing far exceeds the current availability. The report pointed out several gaps but failed to offer concrete next steps or a proposed pilot program to address the problem. This led to dissatisfaction among San Jose City Council members, who were expecting more definitive guidance on potential community-led alternatives.
Councilmember Rosemary Kamei expressed frustration during the May 20 meeting, noting that the findings mostly reaffirmed what was already known. She emphasized that the goal of the funding was to develop and test new models that did not involve police intervention. The absence of such recommendations raised concerns about the effectiveness and utility of the study.
A contributing challenge, as shared by Sarah Zárate from the city manager’s office, was the hesitation from local nonprofits. Many organizations were reluctant to take on the task of designing a pilot program, fearing a conflict of interest that could prevent them from bidding on its implementation in the future. This procedural issue left the city without a clear path forward, despite spending nearly the full budget.
In response to the report’s shortcomings, the REAL Coalition—a group dedicated to racial equity and community-led initiatives—is stepping in to offer a solution. The coalition is proposing to lead a follow-up effort that includes interviews with community leaders and a literature review of national best practices. Their goal is to present a set of recommendations for a pilot program by next year. The coalition also envisions the possible creation of a city Office for Violence Prevention, inspired by a similar county-level initiative recently launched to tackle violence through policy coordination and root-cause strategies.
Darcie Green, executive director of a local nonprofit and a member of the REAL Coalition, shared her personal experience as a survivor of intimate partner violence during the city council meeting. She underscored the reluctance many survivors feel about involving law enforcement, not out of disregard for safety, but because of concerns about potential escalation and systemic harm. Her statement resonated with data from a 2021 national survey showing that 71% of domestic violence survivors preferred non-police avenues for help. Among those who had called the police, nearly 40% reported feeling less safe afterward, a statistic that speaks to the pressing need for alternative responses.
To fund their initiative, the REAL Coalition is requesting $100,000 from the city—$50,000 of which would cover staffing, and $20,000 would be dedicated to research and data analysis. Councilmembers expressed interest in the coalition’s proposal and have unanimously agreed to refer the remaining $50,000 from the original study back to the budget process, allowing time to explore how those funds could be redirected. They also tasked staff with investigating whether the city’s share of opioid settlement funds could be used to support the next steps.
The discussion reflects a broader shift in how cities are attempting to reimagine safety and support for survivors. Many residents and advocates argue that real change can only come from expanding the available tools beyond the criminal justice system. As San Jose reevaluates its approach, the upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether the city can transform intent into impact by piloting genuinely community-centered solutions that prioritize survivor autonomy, equity, and safety.
