Legal Aid of NC and local
shelters are reaching out to domestic violence victims
November 14, 2007 Media Release
(Raleigh, NC) – “Domestic Violence
Abuses Everyone” is the tagline for the new
posters
that are currently being distributed throughout the communities by
Legal Aid of
North Carolina (LANC) and
women’s shelters in North Carolina.
The
posters also read “We can help. Call us” and include tear-off
notes with toll-free, hotline telephone numbers.
“We want to give victims of domestic violence and/or their friends
the message that help is available for those who are being
physically or emotionally abused by their spouse or significant
other,” said TeAndra Miller, an attorney with Legal Aid of North
Carolina (LANC) and project director for LANC’s
Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI).
Miller explained that domestic violence happens to people of all
ages, races, ethnicities, and religions. It occurs in both
opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. Economic or
professional status does not indicate domestic violence - abusers
and victims can be laborers or college professors, judges or
janitors, doctors or orderlies, schoolteachers, truck drivers,
homemakers or store clerks. Domestic violence occurs in the poorest
ghettos, the fanciest mansions and white-picket-fence neighborhoods.
“Domestic violence is a problem that affects practically everyone in
our communities,” noted Miller. “and we find that the abused
typically feel that it is very difficult to break out of an abusive
relationship. At our local shelters, these victims can find
help for themselves and their children. And our attorneys at
Legal Aid can assist obtain legal means of protection.”
Legal Aid of NC is partnering with the
North Carolina
Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) to receive the
toll-free calls. The NCCADV is a network of agencies, shelters
and individuals across North Carolina who serve battered women and
their children.
“The sad truth is that whether we know it or not, we all know
someone who is affected by domestic violence, either directly or
indirectly,” claims Rita Anita Linger, NCCADV’s executive director.
“Violence in the home places an enormous burden on all those
affected by it. By working together as a collective, we can
stop the violence and share the hope of a violence-free state.”
Although October was “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” across the
United States, staff at LANC, NCCADV and women’s shelters across
North Carolina recognize that domestic violence is a problem all
twelve months of the year.
“Victims of domestic violence will not permanently leave an abusive
situation unless they know their children will be safe and well
taken care of,” notes George Hausen, LANC’s executive director.
“Victims have no chance of getting the statutorily available
ancillary relief (such as temporary custody, visitation and child
support) in a 50(b) hearing without a lawyer at their side.
Our attorneys at Legal Aid can help.”
The
Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI) is a statewide
project of Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) that provides legal
assistance to victims of domestic violence. The DVPI is comprised of
attorney/advocates based in LANC field offices (geographically
located across the North Carolina). These DVPI
attorneys/advocates are trained in the laws available to help
increase the safety and self-sufficiency of victims, as well as the
dynamics of domestic violence and safety planning.
Legal Aid of
North Carolina (LANC) is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that
provides free legal services in civil matters to eligible,
low-income people in all 100 counties in North Carolina through 24,
geographically located offices in North Carolina. LANC’s
clients typically have an annual income of 125% or less of the
federally established poverty levels.
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Attachment:
“Legal Aid of NC and Domestic Violence”
(Fact Sheet)
NOTE:
Commemorative "Domestic Violence Abuses Everyone"
prints may be ordered from Legal Aid of North Carolina (click
here).
CONTACTS:
TeAndra Miller
(Project Director, LANC Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative,
Raleigh, NC),
919-856-2142
George R. Hausen
(Executive Director, Legal Aid
of NC), Raleigh, NC,
919-856-2564
Dock Kornegay
(Director, Public Relations & Development, Legal Aid of NC),
Raleigh, NC, 919-856-2564
Disclaimer
The materials contained on this website are for information and
educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Please
contact your Legal Aid of North Carolina office or a private
attorney if you need to speak to an attorney regarding your
particular situation. See our complete
disclaimer.
Mission Statement
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm
that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income
people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove
legal barriers to economic opportunity.