Center for Domestic Peace began as Marin Abused Women’s Services (MAWS), opening Marin’s first shelter for abused women and children in 1977. A 24-hour hotline was launched, and by the early 1980s, the organization added one of the nation’s first Men’s Programs and a transitional housing complex. MAWS also pioneered dating abuse prevention programs in local schools.
During this decade, MAWS became a leader in shaping national policy, coauthoring the landmark Violence Against Women Act in 1994. The organization launched Transforming Communities, a prevention initiative, and partnered with law enforcement to create a coordinated criminal justice response. Recognition included multiple state and national awards for innovation in violence prevention.
By the late 1990s, MAWS had grown to serve over 5,000 people annually with a $1.9M budget. The organization purchased a permanent home, launched WomanKind (a program for women who use violence), and developed the Healthy and Equal Relating curriculum for teens. MAWS also doubled transitional housing capacity, created national training programs, and received awards for groundbreaking work with men’s accountability programs.
C4DP deepened our focus on equity, launching programs like Champion Men’s Zone and Voces de Cambio, a survivor-led advocacy group. During COVID-19, services pivoted online, expanding accessibility. By 2022, C4DP had assisted more than 240,000 people, translated our website into Spanish, and earned recognition for measurable community impact – including a 55% drop in domestic violence-related law enforcement calls in Marin County.