District Attorney’s Office Awarded Grant to Help Victims of Domestic Violence
VENTURA, Calif. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a time that serves as a
crucial reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence and the urgent need to address it in
our community.
On October 10, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will officially proclaim
October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko will join
Interface Children & Family Services, the Coalition for Family Harmony, and many other partnering
agencies in support of this important proclamation.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month empowers survivors, educates the public, and advocates for
policies and resources that can help prevent and combat the vicious cycle of inter-personal
violence,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “By shedding light on this problem, we take a
significant step towards breaking the cycle of inter-generational abuse.”
As part of our ongoing commitment to serving victims of domestic violence, the Ventura County
District Attorney’s Office applied for and was selected to receive a Violence Against Women
Vertical Prosecution Grant from the California Office of Emergency Services. The $202,545 grant
will fund efforts to prosecute domestic violence cases. It will also help continue efforts to connect
victims with resources at the Ventura County Family Justice Center, located in Ventura and at a
future second site under development in Oxnard.
Vertical prosecution is when a prosecutor, investigator, and victim advocate are assigned to a case
from the initial filing of charges, often even before, and then through the penalty phase. It is shown
to improve conviction rates, reduce victim/survivor trauma, and provide more consistent and
appropriate penalties for defendants.
Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@ventura.org
Approved: SW
Date: October 2, 2023
Release No.: 23-116
If you or someone you know is a victim/survivor of domestic violence, we encourage you to
connect with a victim advocate at the Ventura County Family Justice Center located at
3170 Loma Vista Road, in Ventura. During business hours, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., requests for services and information are available in person, or by telephone (805) 652-
7655, by email vcfjc.coop@ventura.org or by text to (805) 947-7981
