Domestic Violence

While legal aid attorneys have come a long way in embracing trauma-informed advocacy, we still have much to learn about the physical and mental health of our clients. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can produce cognitive and psychological impairments, and not just for professional football players.…

At the 2020 Walk to the Hill gathering, a client shared how civil legal aid helped change her life, and the lives of her four children. She is a survivor of domestic violence and her legal aid attorneys helped her with multiple issues including restraining orders, a divorce, and enforcing the…

Not infrequently, victims of crime want to move as a result of a crime. This booklet provides information about specific protections and rights that victims of crime such as domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking have if they seek to end their lease early, or transfer to a new unit in public or…

From the introduction: The survivor’s guide has tools to help you prepare for your custody case in Massachusetts. This guide has recommendations from survivors of abuse, lawyers, and domestic violence advocates. This guide can help you prepare for your case and understand the people…

 How Do I Talk About the Violence I Experienced? A Guide for K-12 Students and Their Caretakers  The Victims Rights Law Center and Surviving in Numbers have launched a resource bank and guide for young survivors (in kindergarden through 12th grade) and their caretakers.  The…

As directed by the Act Relative to Domestic Violence, plaintiff and defendant domestic violence resource brochures have been created and will be distributed to all divisions in the relevant court departments, including the Superior Court, District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family…

This series of guides were designed to be used by advocates for survivors of domestic and sexual violence when working directly with survivors. There are guides for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties of Massachusetts, as well as guides for those working with immigrant survivors of…

Representing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Connected with the  Military: A Handbook for Civil Attorneys From the handbook: Victims of intimate partner violence who are military service members, veterans, or partners of service members or veterans, often have specific legal…

Fenway’s Violence Recovery Program (VRP) provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referrals to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, hate violence, and police misconduct. Specializes in working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)…

Navigating Custody & Visitation Evaluations in Cases with Domestic Violence: A Judge's Guide Published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Clare Dalton of Northeastern University is one of the three authors. Jacqui Bowman of Greater Boston Legal…

Click on the "Go to Website" link below to access the chart

A Judicial Guide to Child Safety in Custody Cases   This tool is designed to maximize a child’s safety as you determine issues of custody and visitation and can help you Assess whether a child or parent is at risk for physical, emotional, or mental abuse. Review the…

In response to Dutton's critique of feminist theories of domestic violence, the author of this article makes three points relevant to the debate about the gender asymmetry of intimate partner violence. First, there are three major types of intimate partner violence, only one of which (intimate…

Click on link below 'Go To Website' to access this informative four page guide by the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health. The guide is filled with tips for civil lawyers and legal advocates preparing for court proceedings with survivors of…

Consumer Rights Screening Tool for DV Advocates & Lawyers (2011) Leah A. Plunkett of National Consumer Law Center & Erika A. Sussman of Center for Survivor Agency and Justice This screening tool aims to:   provide a general overview of common consumer issues with which…

The Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims was supported by a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence, Interpretation, Technical…

Guidelines On Abuse Prevention Proceedings: Navigating Rough Seas Article written by Rebecca Cazabon, Pro Bono Managing Attorney at Foley Hoag LLP. Explains how the Guidelines for Judical Practice can be utilized as an effective resource in navigating complex issues that can develop in…

Standing Strong: A Guide for Navaigating the Legal System for Victims of Domestic Violence.   Pubished by the Women Bar Foundation of Massachustts (2008).   Contains useful law overviews and frequently asked questions about common family law & financial…

From the forward: "The Administrative Office of the Trial Court issues these Guidelines to assist judges and court personnel in addressing the many complex and sensitive issues that arise in the course of abuse prevention proceedings under G.L. c.209A.  The Guidelines are intended to…

Consumer Rights for Domestic Violence Survivors, National Consumer Law Center, (2011) "Many victims and survivors of domestic violence have financial difficulties. This is common and nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps your abuser handled all the money in the household, and you are not sure…

Information about identity change issues.  To download the article from the National Network to End Domestic Violence website, click the "Go To Website" link below.

Memorandum from District Court Chief Justice Connolly, August 26, 2010 Review Item 8  of attached document & the checklist (with relevant caselaw) on extending 209A orders at the end of the document. 

A harrassment order statute, M.G.L. c. 258E, was enacted in Massachusetts in 2010.  Under this new law, victims of sexual assault and stalking can obtain protective orders even if they do not satisfy the relationship requirements of M.G.L. c. 209A.  Attached are…

The Battered Women's Justice Project (BWJP) is a collaborative effort of three nationally respected organizations that have pioneered innovative civil and criminal justice responses to domestic violence. Minnesota Program Development, Inc., better known as the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention…

Intimate Partner Violence, 1993 - 2001 A Report from the US Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics