San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed announced the appointment of Ivy Lee as the Director of the Office of Victim and Witness Rights. This office, established by a voter-approved ballot measure, aims to consolidate and coordinate city services to advance the rights of crime victims and witnesses.

For four years, Lee served as Mayor Breed's public safety and victims' rights policy advisor. In her new role, she will guide the formation of this office over the next year in consultation with various stakeholders.

In June 2022, San Francisco voters passed Proposition D, championed by Supervisor Catherine Stefani. This measure amended the City’s Administrative Code to establish the Office of Victim and Witness Rights with mandates including conducting a survey of victims’ needs and establishing a right to counsel for domestic violence survivors in civil proceedings.

“Our work on public safety must include supporting victims and witnesses when they step forward to report crimes,” said Mayor Breed. “Ivy Lee’s understanding of the entire public safety system...will bring the right voice and support for people who have suffered because of crimes perpetrated against them.”

"It is an honor to be able to serve victims and survivors of crime," said Ivy Lee. "Their courage and resilience inspire me every day." She thanked Mayor Breed for her trust and Supervisor Stefani for pushing for this office.

“For too long, San Francisco has ignored the voices of crime victims,” said Supervisor Stefani. “The Office...will provide a safe place for those in need—including survivors of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and assault—to get help."

The first step in creating this office involved conducting surveys among various participants to identify key problems within San Francisco’s victim service network. Identified issues included challenges navigating legal processes, lack of housing, unmet emotional support needs, access to emergency financial relief after traumatic events, and inadequate support for service providers who are often survivors themselves.

"When I partnered with survivors to create SHARP (Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention), we imagined a department that advocated for survivors while they navigate complicated systems,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “Under Ivy's leadership...SHARP will better serve its original purpose.”

“Survivors need a leader who will fight for them," said Supervisor Myrna Melgar. "Ivy is uniquely positioned to set this new Office up swiftly...centering the needs of survivors."

Mayor Breed has supported community-based programs like Street Violence Intervention Program and Community Youth Center (CYC). She also created a Community Liaison Unit within SFPD for hate crimes response and consistently funded gender-based violence grants.

Ivy Lee is a Civil Rights attorney whose practice focused on defending survivors' rights before joining government service. She has held positions with former Supervisors Jane Kim and Norman Yee.

“We look forward to working with the new office,” said Sarah Wan from CYC. “This new office is a critical step in better serving our communities.”

“This Office is revolutionary for victims,” says Attorney Geoffrea Morris from Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence. “It solidifies our work in seeking justice.”

"The formation...signals the City's commitment to safety," said Beverly Upton from San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium.

“I am proud to be part of this community," said Margarita Mena from Safe Passage Program. "This new office is a positive step forward."