Young Lawyers Division 2000-2001
MARCH/APRIL 2000
Get Involved!
The ABA Commission on Domestic Violence has proven to be a leader in seeking reforms to address the issue. With one of the most useful sites on the internet, the Commission provides a wealth of information for any young lawyer who wants to get involved in eliminating domestic violence. Visit the Commission's website at www.abanet.org/domviol/home.html.
Below is some helpful information from the Commission's website that shows how young lawyers can make an immediate impact in addressing domestic violence:
Five Ways to Fight Domestic Violence
Know What Domestic Violence Is. When spouses, intimate partners, or dates use physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, harassment, or stalking to control the behavior of their partners, they are committing domestic violence. Most victims of domestic violence are women. Children who witness domestic violence are also victims; they suffer from behavioral and cognitive problems. Boys, especially, are more likely to be aggressive and engage in criminal behavior if they grow up in homes where domestic violence exists.
Develop a Safety Plan. If you (or a relative, friend, or neighbor) are experiencing domestic violence, think about ways to make yourself safer. Leave a spare set of keys, emergency money, important phone numbers, and documents like birth certificates, passports, bankbooks, and insurance papers in a safe place your batterer doesn't know about. Plan how to get out of your home quickly and safely should a battering incident begin. Think about a safe place to go once you leave your home. If you can, learn local crisis hotline numbers.
Call 911. If you are being battered by a spouse or intimate partner (or know someone who is), call the police right away for help, if you can get to a phone safely. Don't be afraid to ask for immediate help. Domestic violence is a crime, not a "private family matter."
Exercise Your Legal Rights. You have the right to go to court and petition for an order of protection if you have been battered in one of the fifty states, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. In most parts of the country, you can also ask for custody of your children and child support at the same time. You should try to get a lawyer to represent you and protect all of your rights under the law. Call your state or local coalition against domestic violence, a state or local crisis hotline, or the state or local bar association to learn more about where to find legal help.
Get Help So That the Violence Will Stop. Many services are available to help families struggling with domestic violence. Look in the phone book for the number of your state or local domestic violence coalition or crisis hotline for help in locating the financial, housing, and counseling services needed to break free of domestic violence. For more information about the Commission and its activities, contact the Commission on Domestic Violence, American Bar Association, 740 15th Street, N.W, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20005-1022, 202/662-1737/1744, fax 202/662-1594, e-mail abacdv@abanet.org
Additional Resources
The Violence Against Women Office of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, was created in 1995 to administer the 1994 VAWA and to lead the national effort to stop domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking of women. Its incredibly helpful website can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo.
