Mark Foreman

Director

Family Justice Center

M11 DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS ON CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE

Mark was a sworn member of the San Diego Police Department for 28 years. He started his law enforcement career as a police recruit in 1979 and left the Department as a lieutenant to accept the Director position at the Family Justice Center.

Mark enjoyed working numerous assignments in the Police Department, all of which in some way, shape or form brought him in contact with the effects of violence on families. In 2000, Mark and his wife adopted two brothers, ages six and seven, through San Diego County Adoptions.

Mark began seeing commonalities between how his boys came into their situation, how sex crimes victims and suspects came into theirs, and with many individuals he had arrested throughout the years in the Police Department. Mark’s intimate view of the lasting effects of family violence led him to pursue research and additional knowledge.  His efforts have fostered lasting partnerships with many professionals throughout the community in trying to develop strategies for mitigating and preventing the effects of violence and trauma on children.

Mark specifically worked with local doctors, Cynthia Keulbs, MD and Jeffrey Rowe, MD, to develop and to present a comprehensive lecture series on the Developmental Effects on Children Exposed to Violence.  Mark and his partners have presented this material to 2,500 professionals from numerous disciplines throughout the City and County. The information they present is being institutionalized in many social services programs.

Mark has received several acknowledgements for his efforts. They include the Ghandi Nonviolence Award presented by the Tariq Khamisa Foundation and the Law Enforcement Stars Award presented by the Commission on Children, Youth and Families. Mark sits on the board of the San Diego Family Justice Foundation.