The Police Department's mission is "To Serve and To Protect." Within the San Antonio Police Department, F.A.C.T. is a volunteer program working with staff to serve victims of domestic violence.

Description:
The F.A.C.T. (Family Assistance Crisis Team) program is the volunteer component of the Victims Advocacy Section of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). F.A.C.T. provides community volunteers with a way to offer crisis intervention services for victims of domestic violence. Volunteers and staff are concerned with offering crisis intervention services to victims, i.e., what has been going on, what are the person's rights as a victim, resources in the community and safety planning. An application process requires reference and background checks on each applicant. After training, there are opportunities for volunteers to work during the day with staff at the main station or at a substation. Volunteers can also choose to work one night a month from 7:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. at a substation.

History:
F.A.C.T. began in 1991 as a grassroots collaborative community response to domestic violence. In 1992 a Criminal Justice Department grant was obtained to provide two staff members to work with volunteers, and the program became part of the Department of Community Initiatives for the City of San Antonio. In 1995, the Victims Advocacy Section of the San Antonio Police Department was begun to offer direct and more comprehensive services to victims and families dealing with domestic violence. At that time, F.A.C.T. was incorporated into the operations of the San Antonio Police Department within the Victims Advocacy Section.

Contact person: Jane Shafer, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (201) 207-2142

Address:

214 W. Nueva San Antonio, TX 78207 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapd

Directions:

The Main Station is located downtown on the corner of Santa Rosa and Nueva. There are 6 substations throughout the City. Eastside Patrol 3635 E. Houston; Westside Patrol. . . (more)