Constructing Circles Of Peace
In 2004, Judge Mary Helen Maley (Santa Cruz County Justice Court), in collaboration with Dr. Linda Mills (New York University’s Center on Violence and Recovery), decided to develop a program that would meet the needs of underserved family violence victims in Santa Cruz County in a holistic, culturally sensitive manner. Maley convened a diverse group of fifty community leaders from law enforcement, health and social services and faith based communities to craft a program. The result was the establishment of Circles of Peace. Since then, Circles of Peace has been successfully treating families affected by domestic violence as well as mobilizing the community into action around this issue. Circles of Peace now represents a model for discussion and replication across the nation.