Role of the Legal Advocate

A legal advocate for a survivor of DV/SA/Stalking, have an incredibly important role to fulfill. While they cannot give a survivor legal advice or predict the outcome of her case, there are many other ways that a legal advocate can assist a survivor as she navigates the legal system. They can explain what a survivors options are, including safety planning, and discuss how those options may affect her safety. They have support skills and community connections that are critical to helping the survivor cope with the additional stress of legal proceedings.  Here are some basic ways a legal advocate can help a survivor deal with court and legal matters:

Legal Advocate Role - How They Can Help:

• Support and listen - help process a situation and create a safety plan.
• Outline the options offered by the system, how to access them, and what the process will look like.
• Help connect a survivor to support systems and resources and connect with community and public benefits.
• Help connect to support groups & counseling.
• Help collect documents and think of witnesses that will assist in a case.
• Accompany a survivor to court proceedings and provide emotional support through the process.
• Help ensure that the survivor has time to process information and can make informed decisions.
• Help attorneys and other support people to understand a survivors particular needs, including any cultural and language barriers.
• Safety plan with a survivor after a legal judgment.

Finding an Attorney

Perhaps one of the most critical pieces a legal advocate can do is help a survivor find an attorney if and when the survivor decides she needs or wants one. The legal needs of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault survivors can be particularly complex issues for which an attorney is highly recommended.

Please seek the advice of an attorney if you are confronted with a specific matter that could involve state or federal laws.

Finding an Attorney in Oregon

• www.osbar.org - lawyer referral including Modest Means Program (low cost representation if income qualified) and pro se assistance such as document review. (800)-452-7636
• www.lawhelp.org - legal services offices across Oregon and basic law on selected topics of interest
• www.abanet.org - information on attorneys in Oregon and other states
• www.nwwlc.org -Washington state and northwest legal resources, also free legal Information and Referral (I&R) telephone line (206-621-7691, or 206-521-4317 TTY)
• www.ojd.state.or.us - information on courts and county District Attorney offices