Family Justice Center idea gaining momentum

CLEVELAND - Laura Cowan says she was raped, beaten, held hostage and starved.

She is a domestic violence survivor, and she is all in favor of a Family Justice Center in Cleveland.

Such a facility is being considered by the city after a summer where 5 area women were murdered and their husbands accused of the crimes.

This week, Casey Gwinn, President of the National Family Justice Center Alliance, visited Cleveland to help local leaders understand and plan the concept.

Gwinn told NewsChannel5 his organization has already helped open 60 Family Justice Centers around the country -- and 140 are in the planning stages.

Administrative and Presiding Judge Ronald Adrine of the Cleveland Municipal Court is working with Gwinn.

"We shouldn't be one of the only major cities in the United States that doesn't have a Family Justice Center", said Adrine.

Adrine said Family Justice Centers bring many resources and agencies to one location that can assist victims of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and sexual violence.

The Cleveland Municipal Court is looking at the county owned Witlatch Building at 1910 Carnegie Avenue as a potential home for the Family Justice Center.

The building currently houses the Juvenile Court offices which will be relocating to the new Juvenile Justice Center next spring.

Cleveland Police respond to about 20,000 cases of domestic violence each year.

It's estimated that only 25% of such crimes are reported.