Submitted information:
Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. is proud to announce that Kim McCoy, former director of the Victim Witness Unit, has been named as the executive director for the newly established Cobb Family Advocacy Center. This significant milestone comes after McCoy’s unwavering dedication and advocacy to bring a justice center to Cobb for the past 25 years.
The journey to establish a family justice center in Cobb County began in 1999 when McCoy, alongside Jason Saliba, now deputy chief assistant district attorney, toured San Diego’s center for victims. Inspired by what they saw, McCoy and Saliba were determined to bring a similar resource to the Cobb community.
Through persistent effort and overcoming numerous challenges, the vision has finally become a reality. “It took us years to get here, obviously, through struggles, through challenges, through a lot of different things,” said McCoy at the Cobb Family Advocacy Center grand opening on Dec. 15, 2023.
The FAC, located at 277 Fairground St. SE in Marietta, serves as a comprehensive hub for victims and survivors of abuse, providing essential help and resources under one roof. Navigators at the FAC will coordinate services for victims and collaborate with local victim service providers to offer trauma-informed, holistic, and comprehensive services in one central location, alleviating the need for victims to travel to multiple agencies to receive help.
The establishment of the FAC was made possible in part by a $400,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, marking it as the first of its kind to officially open in Georgia. District Attorney Flynn Broady highlighted the center’s anticipated positive outcomes, stating, “Family advocacy centers in communities lead to significant reductions in domestic violence homicides and childhood trauma, resulting in better outcomes for families overall.”
In addition to county and grant-funded staff, the center partners with several well-established nonprofits, including LiveSAFE Resources, the Center for Family Resources, SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, and Legal Aid of Cobb County. These organizations, along with public safety and prosecutorial partners, will have representatives on-site to provide comprehensive support to those in need.
Reflecting on the long journey to this achievement, McCoy remarked, “The FAC represents not only a promise kept to the victims and survivors in our community but also ensures a future commitment to building stronger collaborations among our partners to provide comprehensive services to victims. I am honored to lead the FAC and to continue advocating for the safety and well-being of our community.”
For immediate dangerous situations, the public is urged to call 911. Any victim is encouraged to contact their local police department to file a report. Additional resources for child abuse victims are available through SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center at 770-801-3465. Victims of domestic violence and adult sexual assault can receive additional services through LiveSAFE Resources at 770-427-3390.
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