New Family Violence Unit Established at DA’s Office

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office has established a new division that will be tasked with prosecuting felony domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and elder abuse cases.

Melissa Allen is a supervising deputy district attorney. She said the Family Violence Unit will attempt to combat a growing problem in the Bakersfield area.

“There will be eight deputy district attorneys, one investigator and myself, as the supervisor of the unit, that will prosecute these cases,” she said.

Allen also said the district attorney’s office is hoping, in the future, to integrate the unit into a family justice center that would provide counseling and legal help for victims.

– Anthony Pollreisz