August 16, 2004 MEDIA RELEASE
Legal Aid of North Carolina plans to expand domestic violence prevention program
(Raleigh, NC) – As a result of a new bill signed by Governor Mike
Easley to strengthen domestic violence laws, Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC)
is expanding its
Domestic Violence Initiative, a program provide that provides
legal representation for victims of domestic violence.
“The new fund created last week will provide more stability to our program,”
said TeAndra Miller, project director for LANC’s
Domestic Violence Initiative, “and help us to expand to help meet the
screaming need for legal representation in domestic violence cases.”
Last Thursday, Governor Easley signed into law comprehensive legislation that
strengthens laws against domestic violence and appropriates new funds to provide
legal services to victims of such incidents.
 |
| Governor Mike Easley (right) speaks at ceremony on
August 12, 2004 in Asheville. Seated are Speaker Richard T. Morgan And
Rep. Wilma Sherrill. (LANC staff photo) |
The new funds would be allocated by the NC State Bar to the established legal
services programs to provide legal representation for domestic violence victims
in every county of the state.
According to the
NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, between 3 million and 4 million
women nationwide are battered each year by husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends.
Last year in North Carolina, 68 women died from abuse.
LANC’s
Domestic
Violence Initiative (DVI) provided legal representation in more than 2,800
domestic violence cases in 2003. LANC’s DVI attorneys helped
victims secure protective orders and provide legal advice regarding child
custody issues and safety training.
Most of its cases are taken by referral from local domestic violence
shelters and community organizations.
LANC does not charge a fee for its legal services.
In a prepared statement at the signing of House Bill 1354 last Thursday in
Asheville, Governor Easley said, “We are sending the message that these crimes
against our families will not be tolerated.
This is a renewed effort to protect victims of domestic violence and
their families.”
In addition the new fund for legal representation, the law creates a new
felony charge for domestic cases involving strangulation when the victim is
injured, requires all convicted abusers to complete a treatment and counseling
program, and provides training for law enforcement and court workers.
The legislation will also fund a study on anti-violence programs available in
public schools and training available to school employees who deal with
suspected abuse.
The bill unanimously passed the state House and Senate earlier this year.
“I think that everyone in this room will agree with me that this bill will
make a positive difference in the lives of families who experience domestic
violence,” said Rep. Wilma Sherrill, R-Buncombe, a sponsor of House Bill 1354.
“The other thing I’m happy to tell you is we ain’t through yet.”
Miller said that LANC is planning to expand its DVI staff and program in
2005, when the actual new funds become available.
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.
Operating through 24 geographically located offices and four statewide
projects, Legal Aid of North Carolina provides legal services to eligible clients in all 100
counties of North Carolina.
CONTACTS:
TeAndra Miller
(Project Director, Domestic Violence Initiative)
919-856-2564
George R. Hausen, Jr.
(Executive Director, Raleigh, NC)
919-856-2564
Dock Kornegay
(Director, Public Relations & Development,
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.