San Diego DA Expands Binational Victim Services Partnership With Baja California Agencies

-Editorial

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the renewal and expansion of a binational agreement with Baja California authorities aimed at strengthening cross-border coordination for victim services.

The updated Memorandum of Understanding expands collaboration between the Baja California Attorney General’s Office, the Baja California Justice Center for Women (CEJUM), and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Family Justice Centers, including One Safe Place North in San Marcos and One Safe Place South in National City.

The agreement builds on a partnership originally established Aug. 30, 2024, and broadens its scope to include both San Diego County Family Justice Center locations following the opening of the South County site in October 2025.

The Family Justice Center network operated by the District Attorney’s Office now includes One Safe Place North in San Marcos and One Safe Place South in National City. Together, officials said the centers have served more than 13,000 victims and survivors since 2022.

The expanded agreement is intended to improve coordination between agencies on both sides of the border and streamline referrals for individuals seeking services related to domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, elder abuse, hate crimes, and other forms of victimization.

District Attorney officials said the partnership is designed to reduce delays and logistical barriers for victims who previously may have had to cross the border to access services, sometimes facing long wait times or fragmented support systems.

In announcing the renewal, Stephan said the binational nature of the region requires coordinated responses to crime that reflect cross-border mobility.

“Abusers, traffickers, or anyone who exploits and harms victims do not recognize borders,” Stephan said. “With thousands of people traveling between San Diego and Tijuana each day for work, school, and family, we know victimization can happen on either side of the border, and our response must be just as seamless.”

She said the updated agreement strengthens a shared network of support and ensures victims can access services regardless of where they are located.

“We are committed to making sure no one is left without help because of geography or language, and that every person who comes to One Safe Place is met with culturally responsive care focused on safety, healing, and justice,” she said.

The District Attorney’s Office said the One Safe Place Family Justice Centers provide “wraparound” services under one roof, including crisis intervention, counseling, case management, legal assistance, and connections to community-based organizations.

The centers operate in partnership with more than 100 agencies, including local nonprofits, health providers, and government entities. The model is designed to reduce the need for victims to navigate multiple systems while in crisis.

Since opening in July 2022, One Safe Place North has served North County residents, while One Safe Place South, which opened in 2025, expanded services to South County communities closer to the international border.

Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez said the renewed agreement strengthens institutional cooperation aimed at improving legal, psychological, and social services for victims.

“This international cooperation reflects our shared commitment to joining forces across borders to protect those who need it most,” Andrade Ramírez said. “Renewing and expanding this agreement will strengthen referral processes, specialized support, and multidisciplinary services, while also reducing barriers that have historically limited access.”

She said the goal is to ensure immediate, gender-responsive assistance while prioritizing the safety and stability of families affected by violence. 

Magdalena Bautista, director of CEJUM, said expanding the agreement to include both San Diego Family Justice Centers marks a key step in strengthening cross-border victim support systems.

She said CEJUM is focused on providing coordinated legal, psychological, and social services for women and families affected by violence, and that binational cooperation increases the reach of those efforts.

“This agreement reaffirms the strength of binational and interinstitutional collaboration as a means to expand protection, support, and effective access to justice for women and their families,” Bautista said.

She added that the partnership reflects a broader public policy approach in Baja California focused on gender-responsive justice and coordinated institutional care.

The announcement also referenced a separate agreement renewed on March 26, 2026, between the District Attorney’s Office and the Mexican Consulate in San Diego. The agreement continues to support outreach, prevention, and community engagement efforts, including the monthly “Cafecito Con La Comunidad” events hosted at One Safe Place locations.

Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Alicia G. Kerber-Palma, said the binational cooperation reflects a shared responsibility to protect vulnerable populations in the border region.

“Violence against women knows no borders,” Kerber-Palma said. “We celebrate this binational cooperative effort that strengthens coordination and support networks to provide greater protection and access to justice for women in our border region.”

She said the consulate remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote safety, dignity, and well-being for cross-border communities.

One Safe Place North is located at 1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd. in San Marcos. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.

One Safe Place South is located at 401 Mile of Cars Way in National City. It operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Baja California Justice Center for Women is located in Tijuana and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.