The Collaboration of PADV, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and the Fulton County State and Superior Courts Have Helped Thousands of Victims of Domestic Abuse

ATLANTA – February 7, 2019 – The Safe Families Office (SFO), a Fulton County-based program that assists survivors of domestic violence seeking civil temporary protective orders (TPOs) and other legal interventions against their abusers, commemorated its 10th Anniversary this year by hosting a special invitation only event on February 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Fulton County Courthouse in Courtroom 8H.

The SFO is a unique collaboration between Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV), Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) and the Fulton County State and Superior Courts. These organizations work together to provide a holistic approach to addressing survivors’ needs as they seek safety and independence from their abusers. PADV’s Legal Advocates and Crisis Mental Health Advocates provide survivors with domestic violence advocacy, safety planning, counseling and access to two different shelters. AVLF’s attorneys and law students provide legal advice and representation in both protective order and family law cases, and their social worker provides follow-up social work support during the TPO process.

The Fulton County Superior and State Courts generously provide the agencies with a courthouse-based office which is co-located in the same network of buildings as the District Attorney’s and Solicitor General’s offices, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and the Magistrate, State and Superior Court Clerks’ offices, giving survivors access to an array of additional legal options and services in one visit.

“We are honored to be a part of a powerful partnership that offers critically needed legal services and comprehensive support for our clients who are wanting to escape their abuser”

“Bringing these unique organizations with specialized talents together has made a huge and positive impact on the clients PADV serves,” said Nancy Friauf, president and CEO – PADV.

Since 2009, SFO has served more than 19,000 individuals, including more than 6,700 children.

The Safe Families Office staff and volunteers have had more than 150,000 units of service provision/interaction with these clients, more than 40 units a day, and assisted with obtaining more than 21,000 Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs). From April 2016 to December 31, 2018, the office has assigned 450 volunteer attorneys to represent clients in their hearings.

“Over the past 10 years we have seen extreme growth in our services and hope to see more progress in the next 10 years,” said Jamie Perez, director of AVLF’s Safe and Stable Families Project. “We are working as a team on ways to enhance the program and ensure that victims and families of domestic abuse are receiving the help and education they need.”

For more information about SFO, visit avlf.org.

About Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Inc., was created in 1979 through the joint efforts of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers, and the Gate City Bar Association. AVLF is the largest provider of pro bono legal services in Greater Atlanta. For over 35 years, we have promoted access to justice by inspiring volunteer attorneys to provide high-quality education, advocacy, and representation at no charge to low-income families with basic civil legal needs at critical times in their lives. Our programs include services for domestic violence survivors, landlord/tenant disputes, evictions, unpaid wages, and probate issues. For more information, please visit www.avlf.org, or follow AVLF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Maggie McDaniel
communications 21
mmcdaniel@c21pr.com
404.814.1330

Have questions about the Safe and Stable Families Project? Learn More.