Civil Legal Aid for Domestic Violence (VAWA)

About This Program

VAWA-funded civil legal aid provides free legal help to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Legal representation is one of the most critical needs for survivors navigating the civil consequences of abuse — and one of the most commonly unavailable resources. VAWA specifically funds legal services because Congress recognized that survivors face complex, interconnected legal situations that require professional help to resolve safely. Services commonly include help obtaining civil protection orders (restraining orders), representation in divorce and child custody proceedings, assistance with housing matters (breaking leases due to safety concerns, preventing eviction related to domestic violence), immigration help for survivors on visas that depend on their abuser, employment law assistance, and name and address confidentiality programs. The legal situation of a survivor is often complicated by the fact that multiple legal matters — the criminal case involving the abuser, custody of children, housing, immigration status — are often interconnected and proceeding simultaneously. VAWA-funded legal advocates help survivors navigate these overlapping systems. To find VAWA-funded legal services, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, your local domestic violence shelter or advocacy organization, or visit womenslaw.org for state-by-state resources. Many domestic violence programs have legal advocates on staff or on-call who can make immediate referrals.

Eligibility Requirements

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