San Mateo County approves $832,000 to expand domestic violence, human trafficking response

Seeking to strengthen its response to domestic violence and human trafficking, San Mateo County approved $831,829 last week to add eight targeted positions, including staffing for a new Family Justice Center and additional forensic support amid rising demand.

County officials said the funding will boost anti-human trafficking efforts and expand services for survivors of domestic violence by centralizing support at the Family Justice Center, which launched in May last year, while also adding two criminalists to reduce forensic testing backlogs.

The Family Justice Center brings law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates and service providers under one roof, an approach county officials say is meant to streamline services and reduce the number of offices survivors must navigate to get help.

“Survivors of all backgrounds need more critical support in San Mateo County,” Board of Supervisors President Noelia Corzo said. “Staffing the Family Justice Center moves us one step closer to opening the doors to a clear path toward safety, healing and a life free of abuse.”

The need is significant. Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, an agency which works with the county on domestic violence issues, reported receiving more than 10,000 calls in 2024 and 2025 related to domestic abuse.

In recent years, the county has expanded its focus on survivor support.

In late 2024, supervisors approved a guaranteed income pilot providing $1,000 a month to domestic violence survivors to promote economic independence and reduce financial abuse. Participants also are paired with case management, legal assistance and mental health services.

The county also has committed nearly $600,000 through 2028 for emergency domestic violence services and expanded multilingual outreach and emergency shelter funding using Measure K funds, a half-cent sales tax overseen by the Board of Supervisors.

In addition to domestic violence services, the board approved new positions to expand public education and prevention efforts related to human trafficking. The Sheriff’s Office also will add one criminalist to its forensic biology unit and another to its controlled substances unit to address growing caseloads and reduce evidence backlogs.

The positions will be funded through the county’s general fund. San Mateo County is operating under a $5.4 billion budget.

Supervisors also approved a separate measure last week providing $2 million to subsidize employment at local businesses, aimed at boosting hiring of recent graduates and individuals who have completed certificate programs.

That approval came as officials also received a midyear budget update outlining broader county priorities, including housing, investments in children, youth and families “to advance long-term stability, well-being and economic opportunity,” as well as emergency preparedness.

Amid continued federal funding uncertainty, county officials said they are monitoring economic and funding trends as they plan next year’s budget.