(Posted 2026 June)
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Domestic Relations Unit consists of three sub-units: Intake, Mediation, and the Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program. The largest of these is the Intake unit. This unit partners with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services to support survivors who need resources around safety planning, shelter, and transportation. Volunteer Voices sat down with Domestic Relations Unit Supervisor Marwa Hajahmed to talk about how JDRDC works and why the partnership with DSVS is essential.
Volunteer Voices: Talk to us about what the JDRDC Intake Unit does. What does a “typical” day look like?
Marwa Hajahmed: We handle civil petitions, child custody, visitation, protective orders, violation of orders. On average, we file four to five cases per team member per day. We keep seven slots available every day for protective orders. We prioritize so we can do more than seven if we have emergency protective orders. We have two preliminary protective order hearings for domestic violence cases every day. We’re the busiest unit in agency. We’re also the largest unit in the agency.
Our job is to provide equitable services to clients. We try to provide victim-centered services that will accommodate schedules and a client’s individual situation, always being mindful about trauma-informed practices.
I imagine part of that mandate involves language access.
MH: We are a multilingual unit. You need services and workers that reflect the community you are serving. It’s more than being an interpreter or translator; it’s also being a cultural bridge.
It’s personal. I came in 2017 as a client. After my experience, I said I was coming back as a volunteer for cases that need someone who spoke Arabic. I wanted to assist. I volunteered for seven months. Then I was hired part-time. Eight months after that I became full-time. I progressed to where I am now, the assistant director of the unit. So, when I have a client come to the office saying, “but you don’t understand what I’m going through,” I know exactly what they’re going through. It’s rewarding to be on the other side of the table offering assistance.
Let’s talk about the partnership between JDRDC and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. How does it work?
MH: It works perfectly because DSVS is completing the work we are doing. They’re filling the gaps in services we don’t have the ability to provide our clients.
The Domestic Violence Action Center [DVAC--a comprehensive, co-located service center, staffed by county agency and community non-profit partners to provide culturally responsive information and support services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human sex trafficking, and their families] has an office in our agency staffed by advocates to support our clients. A recent change is we refer our protective order clients to these advocates even before their appointment with us. If they have needs related to safety planning, shelter, or transportation—for example, many clients in a domestic violence situation might need three buses to get to court--we connect them to DVAC so they can provide those extra services we are unable to provide.
Another part of DVAC’s role is to explain the court process. They have initial information about preliminary protective orders and protective orders. It’s important to explain that information to clients before the appointment because JDRDC gives them a lot of information in two hours. They may be traumatized, hurt, or in pain, and they don’t always grasp everything without DVAC [setting the stage].
This also helps us study trends, to look at whether appointments are increasing or decreasing. To understand the political environment around us. For instance, we noticed a decrease in cases filing for protective orders. We had lots of cancellations or no-shows. It turns out it was due to immigration issues. They didn’t want to come to the courthouse where they might have to deal with other things in addition to a protective order. DVAC was most needed to provide safety planning and to explain options if someone doesn’t want to file a protective order.
What’s the best thing about this partnership?
MH: I am grateful to DSVS leadership. They help draw a roadmap of where we want to go with regard to services, partnerships, and data sharing. It’s amazing the amount of resources we have within DSVS that we weren’t aware of without the partnership. This partnership is essential so we know what resources to share in collaborative community outreach. We are all working toward a shared goal.
Can you give me specifics about the collaborative outreach?
MH: I am part of the DV Network. We brainstormed ways to strengthen our outreach. We participate in community events, like Culmore Community Day and the K-9 Krawl. We present in Tier 1 and 2 trainings.
What are some of the challenges and how do we work to overcome them?
MH: I don’t see anything as a challenge. I see it as an opportunity for growth. Certainly, confidentiality can be a barrier. But we send referrals to partners. Or if DVAC wants to refer to us, they can.
What do you wish the partnership did that it doesn’t currently?
MH: One thing missing from our protective order process is childcare. Recently, we had a lady filing with two children. Laws and liability prevent us from having any options other than to have the children in courtroom while Mom is testifying. That’s not a good practice. It’s traumatizing having children inside the courtroom. If money wasn’t a barrier, if rules weren’t a barrier, we need something to protect children while parents are in court. This isn’t a new idea. It’s just not available in Fairfax. I don’t know how the solution will look. I don’t know if it will ever be achievable here. What I do know is exposing children to the circumstances of violence retraumatizes them. So, we need people to advocate for that, someone to take the initiative, and to bring it to the right people.
We also need more bilingual employees, especially when it comes to domestic violence because it’s a taboo subject in many, many communities. Particularly in communities where hitting your wife is normal. It’s seen as an expression of love, not a crime. We are the third most diverse jurisdiction in the United States, after New York City and Miami. We need cultural knowledge about the communities we serve. We need this information to understand why they don’t report. Often, they don’t have the knowledge. They don’t know there’s a JDRDC unit to come to file.
We’re trying our best to break the cycle. A cultural bridge is important. I had an Arabic-speaking client with a difficult domestic violence case. As she’s telling her story and I’m going through all the things with her, she’s smiling. I asked why, when her situation was so dire. Her response: “One of us is here.” That sense of belonging made her feel safer. That’s the part of my work that’s so rewarding.
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).