By NCI
One Safe Place: 760-290-3690; https://onesafeplacenorth.org/
1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92069
When Claudia Garcia Grasso grew up in the 1970s and 1908s, “domestic violence was always swept under the rug.” Today, as the executive director at One Safe Place, her message is, “You do not have to live with abuse.”
In 2019, Claudia was elected president of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, leading it through the pandemic.
She and District Attorney Summer Stephan recognized the need to regionalize one-stop shop Centers, bringing together organizations under one roof to provide wraparound services so victims don’t have to drive all over.
One Safe Place has help from 94 community partnerships and growing. By September 2023, One Safe Place had helped 3100 victims with services, such as restraining orders, a place to stay, all kinds of therapy, forensic services, food, hygiene kits, a clothes boutique, haircuts, child and pet protection, and more. Calls to law enforcement to report DV in San Diego County went down from 18,204 in 2021, to 17,472 in 2022.
No one is forced to report a crime. If you choose to report, you can do it from One Safe Place rather than the police station or courtroom.
The Family Justice Movement started at 11th and Broadway in San Diego in 2002, Today, there are some 150 centers throughout the US. More centers are in the works, including one in South County, which will also help people who cross from Tijuana and for which funds have already been allotted.
Cultural Sensitivity
Claudia says trust is gained through a culturally appropriate approach. “We want to reflect the community we serve.”
She is Latina and is fluent in Spanish; 45% of people that use One Safe Place identify as Latinos, and the number is increasing. One Safe Place does not ask immigration status and does not ask for a driver’s license.
With ‘Cafecito con la Comunidad’, Dra. Villarreal gives monthly talks in Spanish at One Safe Place; the Mexican Consulate has joined to sponsor them, providing services, and sometimes taking a pro bono immigration attorney.
Assistant Executive Director Taraneh Sarebanha is Middle Eastern and speaks Farsi.
- African American, Middle East, Latino workshops
- DEI Committee
- Miramar & Pendleton partners
- Tribal member partners
- 70% are women, but men can also be victims of domestic violence and elder abuse
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
In October, the Domestic Violence Council in San Diego hosts events.
October 3 Opening Event, Balboa Park: Speakers on DV; Claudia Garcia Grasso handed the presidency over to the therapist Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez.
Each region hosts a different event.
- October 13, 10 a.m.: Cafecito con la Comunidad, topic is domestic violence, in Spanish
- October 18, 5 p.m.: North County Teen Dating Violence Committee hosts at One Safe Place
- October 23, 8:30–5: Training in Spanish in National City, ‘Esenciales de violencia doméstica’; certificate awarded.
- There are plans to host all-day training in North County in February.
Red Flags
- Abuse starts very subtly.
- Control disguised as ‘love’, keeping you from work, school, family, friends because they ‘love you so much’.
- Insults begin, shame, robbing you of your dignity.
- Subtle violence, a push or slap.
- Increasing violence.
- A cycle: ‘honeymoon’ period to violence and back, repeated constantly.
Possible Signs
- Someone stops socializing, is covered on hot day, wears dark glasses at night, looks nervous in social settings, looks to husband/father for approval or permission to respond.
- Destruction of property.
- Abuse of pets.
- Threats to children.
Safety plan
- Create a safety word with your family.
- Teach children to call for help.
- Don’t wear anything around your neck.
- Keep a packed bag in the car or with your family or a neighbor with cash, copies of documents, extra clothes, medication.
- Park car so you can get out quickly, fill gas tank.
- Keep your phone in your pocket.
- Call 9-1-1.
