Since opening its doors a little more than three years ago, the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (FJC) has seen its need for services grow, according to a presentation Tuesday at City Hall.

Data provided by FJC Executive Director Susan Adams shows the organization recorded 2,654 client visits last year; 800 of those visits were made by clients visiting the center for the first time. Similarly, the organization’s domestic violence help-line logged 3,137 calls in 2008. During the first two months of this year, FJC has already recorded 600 visits.

By comparison, in 2007, the organization recorded 1,800 visits.

“We’ve seen our numbers increase significantly,” Adams told Tacoma City Councilmembers during a study session this week.

The FJC, located downtown at 718 Court E, partners with local agencies to address violence against women among diverse and traditionally underserved populations. It was created after Crystal Judson Brame was shot and killed by her husband, Tacoma Police Chief David Brame, on April 26, 2003. Brame subsequently killed himself. The FJC was created in response to the tragedy.

Adams told councilmembers that legal assistance and protection orders top the list of services FJC provides. Other major services include assistance with housing and shelter, public services, food, transportation, spiritual support, and law enforcement.

The center opened in December 2005, and is funded by the City of Tacoma and Pierce County. In October 2007, the organization announced it received a two-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Similarly, in October 2006 the center received $15,000 from Colorado-based MWH Construction.

For more information about the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, visit http://www.piercecountywa.org/pc/abtus/ourorg/fjc/ .