Senator Gallivan Announces Funding to Support Family Justice Center

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces he has secured $100,000 in additional state funding for the Family Justice Center, which provides services to domestic violence victims and their children.  The funding will support the center’s Forensic Medical Unit (FMU) which collects evidence used in the prosecution of domestic violence cases.    

“We are fortunate to have the services of the Family Justice Center in our community to assist domestic violence victims and their families, but we need to provide adequate funding to allow these programs to continue,” Gallivan said.  “As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I have great respect for the important role the Family Justice Center plays in helping to  prosecute abusers.”    

The Forensic Medical Unit helps document injuries and can provide critical evidence for criminal prosecution.   

“Our FMU nurses take pictures and body map client injuries and this becomes evidence for the Erie County District Attorney’s office when prosecuting cases,” said Family Justice Center Executive Director Mary Travers Murphy.  “The evidence is extremely effective often culminating in pleas sparing victims the trauma of trial and taxpayers the expense.  The Senator’s commitment to ensuring our FMU is fully funded every years means the world to our clients and to everyone at the Family Justice Center working to help victims find hope, healing and safe havens.”  

Senator Gallivan announced the funding during a press conference at the Family Justice Center’s Buffalo office.