 Domestic Violence Across the country and in Georgia, domestic violence continues to be a widespread problem.People touched both directly and indirectly by these tragedies often wonder what they can do to help victims and their children.A recent study evaluated the services that are typically provided to victims of domestic violence and concluded that among all of the services offered, civil legal representation had the most direct impact on a victim's ability to break free from their abuser.
AVLF's Domestic Violence Project coordinates three ways in which volunteers can use their legal expertise to assist victims of domestic violence and their children in a meaningful way:
1) the Attorney Referral Program;
2) the Paralegal Project; and
3) the Externship Program for Third-Year Law Students.
Through the Attorney Referral Program, individual attorneys volunteer to represent victims of domestic violence at their civil temporary protective order hearings.In these cases, victims have already filed a petition for a temporary protective order, have received an ex parte order from a judge, and have now requested representation at their evidentiary hearing.Volunteer attorneys receive a pre-screened case from AVLF that includes the petition, the ex parte order, and an intake questionnaire.Volunteer attorneys then make contact with their clients, prepare the cases, and represent the clients in court at the evidentiary hearings.
The Paralegal Project utilizes a team-based approach to providing legal representation to domestic violence victims at civil temporary protective order hearings.In this initiative, paralegals meet with victims down at the courthouse, assist them with completing their petitions and other legal paperwork, and accompany victims to the ex parte hearings which occur on that same day.Once an ex parte order is issued, the paralegal brings the case back to their firm where an already-assigned volunteer attorney is ready to begin work on the case.Together, the paralegal and the attorney prepare the case for the evidentiary hearing.The paralegal also accompanies the attorney and the client to court for the hearing, providing assistance to the attorney and support to the client during the proceedings.This team-based approach maximizes efficiency while giving the victim needed support from the very beginning of the process until its completion.
In the Externship Program, third-year law students from local law schools become authorized under Georgia's Third-Year Practice Act to represent victims of domestic violence in their civil temporary protective order hearings.AVLF provides direct supervision for externs in court. In addition to actual litigation experience, externs have the opportunity to develop client counseling skills and to observe court.
AVLF works in partnership with Fulton County Superior Court Family Law Information Center and the Partnership Against Domestic Violence at One Stop located at 136 Pryor Street on the 8th Floor. Victims meeting the intake requirements are assigned to an AVLF volunteer for representation at the TPO hearings.
Attorneys from the private bar are also vital to the project. AVLF has an ongoing relationship with the firm of Arnall Golden & Gregory who not only provides a roster of attorney volunteers but also supports other efforts, such as training, in the fight against domestic violence. Several law firms, including Kilpatrick Stockton, Jones Day and McKenna Long & Aldridge, offer summer associates to represent victims. All attorneys, whether a firm associate or sole pratitioner, are welcome to participate.
If you are interested in volunteering for this program or are a victim or know a victim of domestic violence please contact Jenni Stolarski by telephone at (404) 521-0790, ext. 29 or by e-mail at jstolarski@avlf.org. For more information on protective orders, please visit the Georgia Legal Services website at http://www.glsp.org/extranet/DomesticViolence.htm.
Safety Planning
The most important part of any domestic violence counseling is safety planning, the following are just a few recommendations to help keep victims safe:
If you are still in the relationship:
- Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs-avoid rooms with no exit (bathrooms), or rooms with weapons (kitchen)
- Think about and make a list of safe people to call
- Keep money with you at all times and put cash away in a safe place for emergencies
- Memorize important telephone numbers
- Gather important papers and an extra set of keys and place them in a safe place outside the home.
- Keep a bag packed with clothes for you and your children and keep it where it will not be found
- Back your car into the driveway; keep it fueled; keep the driver's door unlocked, if possible, for quick escapes.
- Document your abuse; take pictures of your injuries, and get copies of all police reports
- Teach your children how to get help and give them a code word to use when help is needed
- Decide where you will go if you need to leave. Call Partnership Against Domestic Violence's 24-hour Crisis Line at (404) 873-1766 or (770) 963-9799, for emergency shelter
If you have left the relationship:
- Change your phone number and screen all calls
- Change your locks
- Avoid staying at home and going places alone
- Vary your routine
- Document any and all contact from your former partner and plan how to get away if confronted by him/her
- Notify school, work, and child care contacts that your former partner should not be near you or your children
Links
Domestic Violence - Forms and Resources
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