NCJ Number
156413
Editor(s)
J J Parker,
B Hart,
J Stuehling
Date Published
1992
Length
306 pages
Annotation
This is a working manual for legal advocates to refer to in their work with battered women.
Abstract
Legal advocacy is a process of issue identification, strategy discourse, policy formulation, advocacy, and systems monitoring directed toward the goal of justice for battered women. Legal advocacy seeks to enhance the safety of battered women and children, to ensure the responsiveness of community system to the needs of battered persons, to hold abusers accountable for their violence, and to end violence in the family. The introductory section of this manual provides an overview of domestic violence, responds to men's rights attack, and presents a vision for the battered women's movement. Another section provides an overview of the legal system, followed by a major section on the roles and goals of legal advocates. This section includes a feminist vision of justice and discusses how to advocate without practicing law, subpoenas and search warrants, the role of the legal advocate, tips on courtroom behavior, and the provision of technical assistance to attorneys. A section on domestic violence civil law, procedure, and process includes an introduction to the Protection From Abuse Act and explains the protection-order process, the impact of domestic violence in child-custody determinations, and the unmet needs of battered women. Remaining sections provide an overview of the criminal justice system, an assessment as to whether batterers will kill, and suggestions for workshops. Appended relevant law, model forms and instructions, resources/referral information, a glossary of legal terms, model form letters, miscellaneous handouts, and a 306-item bibliography