Program Information:

One recent morning, by the end of a three-hour shift, nearly 30 clients had walked into the County Bar's Domestic Violence Project, seeking help in obtaining restraining orders against their abusers. Three attorney volunteers plus the project's directing attorney and staff were able to handle the workflow, but what if there hadn't been any volunteers that day?

An attorney volunteer working one-on-one with a client can easily spend more than an hour advising and helping that client navigate through the system. Clients are surprised to find that the process can be complicated, confusing and lengthy, often requiring paperwork numbering 20+ pages. Volunteers help prepare the legal documents required to obtain temporary, and ultimately permanent, restraining orders. These can include orders for custody, restricted visitation and child support.

Attorney volunteer Melinda Manley says that participation in the project is a perfect pro bono opportunity for lawyers, because volunteers do not represent the clients in court or handle long-term cases. "It's not overwhelming. You can't really take on a cause, but you are taking on part of a bigger cause."

While the majority of those seeking help are women with abusive husbands or boyfriends, the project also provides legal assistance to men abused by women, victims in same-sex relationships, elderly individuals, and minor children seeking protection against sexual or physical abuse by family members.

The project, which is open during court hours, provides services to more than 8,000 persons annually. Although the O.J. Simpson case cast a spotlight on the issue of domestic violence, the project has been flooded with clients seeking protection from spousal abuse since its inception in 1983.

There is an ongoing concern is whether the project will have to turn people away if there aren't enough volunteers to help handle the unpredictable client flow.

Volunteers commit to six hours per month for six months. No prior experience is necessary.  Our ideal volunteers are compassionate, committed attorneys who want to know that a half-day makes a real difference in someone's life.

By the time clients reach the project, they have encountered a huge, intimidating courthouse. At the project they find a real person who is willing to sit down and help them directly with legal services.
-- In the United States, a woman is beaten every 15 seconds by a spouse, boyfriend or other assailant known to her.

--Many women in domestic violence situations are assaulted an average of 7-10 times before seeking assistance.