Victim Advocacy

Crisis counseling and safety planning

  • Evaluate the risks and benefits of leaving the situation, pursuing a criminal case, and of seeking action through the Family Court System
  • Referrals to counseling agencies
  • Referrals for support group on domestic violence.

Information about the criminal justice system

  • How the criminal justice system works and how it applies to the client
  • Check the status of charges already filed
  • Help client understand the level of charges filed and their possible consequences
  • Provide Crime Victim's Compensation information and assistance in completing the application forms
  • Explain Magistrate's Order of Emergency Protection

Advocacy with the criminal justice system and other agencies

  • Court Accompaniment
  • Advocating through other agencies for client services
  • Refer to other legal aid agencies

Information about family law

  • Overview of court process, including general information about temporary support orders, divorce, property division, child custody, child and spousal support, and standard and supervised child visitation
  • Explain Protective Orders and how they are enforced

Referral for shelter, counseling and other needed services

  • Emergency transportation through the Metro system, food, clothing, and shelter referrals
  • Information on TANIF, WIC, and Emergency Food Stamps as well as Food Stamps
 

SAFETY ALERT: Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid that your Internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a safer computer, call your local hotline, and/or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Click for more information.