Charlie Deal, Special to the Daily Report (Reprinted with permission)
I used to be one of those people who believed the stereotypes surrounding domestic violence. I would wonder, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” “Maybe she started it,” or “Why does she keep going back to him if he is going to continue abusing her?”
I knew I wanted to attend law school to give a voice to those who didn’t have one, but I never expected that Atlanta Volunteer Lawyer Foundation’s Safe Families Office (SFO) would give me that chance. I began volunteering in the SFO in August 2015 and took on my first case under the Student Practice Rule in November. My entire perspective on domestic violence has completely changed because of my time at Safe Families.
My time at the SFO has given me first-hand experience working with survivors of domestic violence. I’ve seen women, as well as men, seek help from our office to escape their abusers. I have had the opportunity to hear their stories and assist them with filing paperwork and navigating the courthouse to obtain their protective orders.
I learned that it’s never as easy for survivors to leave as others may think. Issues concerning money (or lack thereof), children, work and other family members all factor into a survivor’s decision to leave or stay.
Taking on my first case was an overwhelming yet gratifying experience. My client, Ms. J, was a mother of three young children, one of whom had also been subjected to abuse by the respondent. I learned a lot about the elements of control because of this case. Survivors of domestic abuse do not always suffer only physical abuse. Cultural differences, financial control and isolation existed throughout this case, and all are problems some survivors face.
Ms. J tried to earn her degree and had attended college for a semester. When she needed to reapply for financial aid, the respondent withheld tax documents from her so she could not file for financial aid. She had to quit school. The respondent refused to provide her with their health insurance information when she was pregnant with her third child. Ms. J could no longer afford to go to her prenatal doctor appointments and eventually had her baby on the floor of her home because she couldn’t afford a trip to the hospital.
After interviewing Ms. J, I began preparing for our hearing. And after several email exchanges with my supervising attorney, I finally had a solid outline of my direct examination.
I didn’t sleep at all the night before my hearing. I kept worrying that the respondent would show up with an attorney, and that I was going to let my client down due to my inexperience. My hand shook the entire time Judge Pitts swore me in before I argued my first case.
After calendar call, cases with attorneys are typically heard first. Judge Pitts asked who wanted to go next, and I made myself wait until we were the last attorney case heard. I didn’t want a jury box full of seasoned attorneys observing me.
When my case was finally called, the feeling I had when I called my client to the stand is something I cannot describe. I had butterflies in my stomach, and my voice was shaky and soft for the first few questions I asked. I had to get my nerves under control; I had to come through for my client.
My greatest professional experience thus far was seeing my client’s face when Judge Pitts granted her a 12-month protective order. Ms. J obtained what she wanted, and I was able to help her through the process.
The things I have learned while working at AVLF are things you cannot learn in a classroom. I have grown not only as a future lawyer, but as a person as well. I learned that my clients will not always be like me and will come from all walks of life. I have learned that situations aren’t always black and white, and the law is not always either. I have gained courtroom experience that will be invaluable when I’m a practicing attorney.
I am truly grateful for the experience I have had providing pro bono representation for these survivors and giving back to my community.