As part of National Domestic Violence Month, the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence (CDSV) is focusing attention on its work to increase access to justice for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by training lawyers to assist victims.
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
ABA works to increase access to justice for victims
“The focus on the legal needs of survivors is welcome and gives us a chance to better educate. The critical life-saving work of the commission and the lawyers who represent survivors is a year-round endeavor,” said Andrew King-Ries, chair of CDSV.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner.
For nearly 25 years, ABA’s CDSV has been a vital voice for victims and a resource for lawyers needing expertise in how to represent those affected by domestic and sexual violence.
A free toolkit, The Power of Pro Bono, details how to help victims.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month began in 1987. Two years later, Congress designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Several upcoming webinars focus on different ways lawyers can assist domestic violence victims. They include:
- Preparing for Court: Pretrial Litigation & Procedures, a webinar on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. ET
- Hague Convention Webinar Series, in Spring 2020
- Part One: Fleeing for Safety: The Effect of Domestic Violence on Children and Parents and Experience of Battered Mothers and Children in Hague Cases
- Part Two: Fleeing for Safety: The Respondent’s Defense: Exceptions to Return
- Part Three: Fleeing for Safety: Questioning the Prima Facie Case
Related links:
- ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence
- ABA: Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Threatened
- ABA Journal: Judge ‘already mad’ over government’s refusal to disclose information to shooting survivors
- ABA Journal: Victim advocates concerned after Nevada top court gives jury trial right to accused domestic batterers