San Jose just dropped a domestic violence study that’s about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. After splurging $350,000 on research, the city basically got a fancy report that says what everyone already knew: survivor support services are trash and people don’t trust the system.

The Disappointing Details

The study, conducted by the Battered Women’s Justice Project, interviewed 138 survivors and community leaders. The big reveal? San Jose’s current approach to helping domestic violence survivors is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Services are culturally responsive but woefully inadequate, especially for survivors with disabilities or mental health challenges.

Survivors Speak Out

Darcie Green from Latinas Contra Cancer dropped some real talk: as a survivor herself, she knows calling the cops isn’t always the answer. A wild 71% of survivors prefer finding help outside law enforcement, and who can blame them? Nearly 40% of people who did contact police felt less safe afterward.

Community to the Rescue

Enter the Race, Equity, Action, Leadership (REAL) Coalition, swooping in like heroes to save the day. They’re offering to create a pilot program and potentially establish a violence prevention office - something Santa Clara County already has. Their ask? A modest $100,000 to develop alternatives that don’t involve criminalization or discrimination.

City Council seems cautiously interested, unanimously voting to keep the remaining unspent research money on the table. Vice Mayor Pam Foley gets it: breaking the cycle of violence takes education, strategy, and real community-driven solutions.