'Survivors Are Not Alone:' Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team Launched In SMC

SAN MATEO, CA — San Mateo County has launched a new program that embeds domestic violence advocates directly with police officers, aiming to get immediate, on-scene support for survivors during the most critical moments of an abusive relationship.

The initiative, called the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team, partners advocates from the nonprofit CORA, or Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, with law enforcement in Daly City, San Mateo and the North Fair Oaks bureau of the Sheriff’s Office.

DVERT was created following the deaths of five women attributed to domestic violence in 2023, officials said Funded by a two-year, $1 million pilot authorized in June 2024 through Measure K reserves, the program addresses the estimated 10,000-plus residents affected by domestic violence annually, officials said.

When a domestic violence call is dispatched, an advocate accompanies officers. Once the scene is safe, the advocate approaches the survivor to offer help.

“Research and experience show that a survivor’s willingness to engage with support services often diminishes as time passes,” said Daly City Police Chief Cameron Christensen.

For one 27-year-old survivor who was monitored by her fiancé using a Ring camera, meeting an embedded advocate was a turning point.

“She made me feel comfortable and didn’t make me feel like I was just another victim,” the woman recalled of advocate Kayla Adams, who is full-time at San Mateo police headquarters. Adams listened, explained options like restraining orders and safety plans, and provided immediate support, the woman said. The woman is now attending school to become a paralegal, and her ex-fiancé is in custody, according to Effie Milionis Verducci, Director of Strategic Communications for San Mateo County.

The advocates focus first on immediate safety planning. "You’re safety-planning for the next 24 to 48 hours," said Taylor Zajonc, an advocate with the Daly City Police Department. "Do you have somewhere to go? Do you have food? Do you have clothes? Do you have your kids?”

Zajonc recounted helping one woman continuously after a violent incident, arranging legal assistance and personally walking her across the street to a clinic for a restraining order.

“Just having someone walk with you matters,” Zajonc said.

The advocates stress empowering survivors by giving them back the ability to choose.

“I want you to make the choices you’re going to make, because for so many victims, the ability to make choices has been taken away,” said Adams.

Board President Noelia Corzo, who shared that domestic violence has affected her own family, championed the program.

"I know how difficult it is to ask for help,” Corzo said. “This program ensures survivors are not alone, not at the scene, not in court and not in the days and weeks that follow.”