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Family Justice Center director: services reach only a fraction of survivors
Summary
Dr. Denise McCain of the Family Justice Center said many survivors do not seek help because of fear, shame and lack of information, creating a gap between court filings and center caseloads; she urged one‑stop, trauma‑informed services and more housing and wrap‑around supports.
Dr. Denise McCain, director of the Prince George's County Family Justice Center, told the Board of Health that while courts handle thousands of protective‑order cases, many survivors do not reach community services. She said clinic and court numbers undercount the lived experience of abuse and that the center sees substantially fewer survivors than the underlying need would indicate.
"If you think that we're only seeing 1,200 a year, it shows you that there's a significant gap," McCain said, explaining that fear, shame and lack of information keep many survivors from seeking help. She described the Family Justice Center as "that one‑stop shop" that provides legal support, counseling and referrals but said barriers such as housing scarcity and limited budgeted staff persist.
Panelists recommended streamlining referrals so survivors do not have to retell trauma multiple times and prioritizing funding for proven, survivor‑centered programs rather than depending entirely on short‑term grants. No new county funding commitments were announced at the meeting.
