DV Legal Advocate

Central California Family Crisis Center

DV LEGAL ADVOCATE

"The underlying premise of our agency services and programming is to demonstrate care, concern and compassion to those seeking assistance to create hope and strength."- Central California Family Crisis Center

01

What is domestic violence

Understanding Domestic Violence is crucial:

As a legal advocate at Family Crisis Center it is crucial to understand the importance of what is Domestic Violence. It helps us better understand our clients that are walking into our office seeking guidance to help better their situation.Under California Penal Code Section 13700(b) " 'Abuse' means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another (California Penal Code 13700(a),. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds, and income levels." Etc.

VAWA:

It's important to know small acts to be able to provide the best help and knowledge to our DV victims that are afraid of consequenses. It's crucial to let them know about their rights and they are protected under law.

VAWA

(Violence Against Women Act 1994.)

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that, in part, provides housing protections for people applying for or living in units subsidized by the federal government and who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, to help keep them safe and reduce their likelihood of experiencing homelessness.

SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST

If we sense domestic violence victim is in critical danger, it is code to always call our hot line number/shelter (559)784-0192 or call 911. IMMEDIATELY!

-Central California Family Crisis Center-

02

HOW DO DV LEGAL ADVOCATES HELP DV VICTIMS

Note: If we are unable to provide help for TRO. We always find other legal resources to provide to DV victim. We refer them to a legal services, Self Help Center in Court, or CCLS.

DV VICTIM LEGAL ADVOCATE

A DV Legal Advocate's end goal is to be able to make a DV victim who is seeking help, feel like they are not alone and there is ways to help them get out of an abusive situation. Also being able to provide them with moral support through the courts process for TRO.

A DV Legal Advocate is a person who provides peer counseling to a DV victim and provides the right guidance to help a DV victim file for a Temporary restraining order (Domestic violence restraining order).

Objectives

Steps to file a Restraining Order

Objective 1

The first objective is to get to know our client. We want to be able to make them feel comfortable and safe to confide in us. This causes them to feel a sense of safety and build a trusting repore between client and advocate to be able to learn who they are, what they are needing help with and most importantly being able to provide the adequate help that they need.

Objective 2

Secondly. Once we are able to provide a sense of safety with client. We are now able to provide a step by step guidance of how we can help them to file for a temporary restraining order. We schedule for an intake form interview while still providing them with peer counseling. This follows up with a review appointment to make any modifications to TRO before submission to court.

Objective 3

We also provide help to start the process of child custody that could be filed under condition it's DV related and a TRO is being filed. TRO requires multiple court documents that comes together into a packet. Once modified, Legal Advocates takes the TRO to the court house for Judges decision to grant or deny based on TRO evidence.

Objective 4

We advice our clients at the time, once we submit TRO to court. It's a typical 2-3 day wait to be able to hear back from Judge and pick up TRO from court house. Once we pick up TRO from court house we schedule interview with client to review Judges decision, court hearing, and provide copies of DV100, DV109, DV110. (Child Custody documents if it was requested.) Plus extra court documents ordered by judge and serving documents.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TRO

Must be DV related.

Must be a Domestic Partner

Must be blood related

For child custody, children have to be blood related to Domestic Partner.

Honesty.

MAIN GOAL

"I Believe You" and "You are safe here" is the end goal to make DV victims feel like they are not alone.

References

Bibliography

• https://www.louisgoodman.com/blog/domestic-violence-statistics-by-state/

• https://tehama.gov/government/departments/district-attorney/victim-witness/domestic-violence/

• https://ccfamilycrisis.org/programs/

• https://www.hud.gov/vawa#close