Defending your right to leave abuse behind
Access to high quality, culturally sensitive legal representation is critical for adults and children seeking to leave abuse behind for good. Our attorneys are experts in the legal challenges facing survivors of gender violence. We also engage, train, and supervise hundreds of pro bono attorneys in order to assist as many survivors as possible.
We provide skilled and sensitive legal services to all survivors of gender violence, including LGBTQ individuals, immigrant adults and children, and survivors of trafficking, FGM and forced marriage.
The Courtroom Advocates Project (CAP)
CAP engages private legal practitioners and law students in domestic violence work in the earliest stages of their careers. Through year-round trainings at law schools and major law firms, CAP enables law school students and law firm associates to advocate for domestic violence victims entering family court to obtain orders of protection.
When cases become contested, associates assume representation of the client under the close supervision of a senior staff attorney. CAP often initiates a career-long interest in domestic violence legal work among lawyers and students.
The Campus Advocates Project (CAP II)
The Campus Advocates Project (CAP II) provides legal consultations and representation to student survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence. Services are offered to students considering the Title IX process, the criminal/ civil justice system, or seeking advice regarding their legal options.
Similar to the Courtroom Advocates Project, the Campus Advocates Project connects survivors with trained law student advocates and attorneys who, assist survivors in navigating the available legal and non-legal options, help survivors decide which pathway(s) to justice may be best for them, prepare survivors for and accompany them to meetings with law enforcement, court appearances , and/or meetings/hearings related to the campus disciplinary process, work with survivors to develop safety plans, engage in evidence collection and preservation, and refer survivors to available community resources.
The Campus Advocates Project provides comprehensive, free, and trauma-informed attorney oversight for every case. To set up a consultation, please fill out our Intake Form. Please contact campusadvocates@sffny.org if you have any questions.
The Family Law Project
Project attorneys represent survivors in obtaining orders of protection, child custody and visitation, and child support.
The Immigration Intervention Project (IIP)
Immigration status is often a barrier to families seeking to escape current violent situations and heal from past violence. IIP aims to help immigrant victims of gender violence secure and maintain lawful immigration status, including legal permanent residence and U.S. citizenship, thereby empowering our clients to thrive independently and safely.
IIP attorneys assist with the full spectrum of immigration applications and defenses for which survivors and their families are eligible, including humanitarian waiver applications, Violence Against Women Act self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, U-Visas, T-Visas, asylum applications, and cancellation of removal. IIP takes pride in meeting the linguistic and cultural needs of the diverse body of clients we represent.
The Matrimonial/Economic Justice Project (EJP)
When leaving abuse, many survivors face economic instability as abusers often control family finances. EJP provides survivors of gender violence with legal representation to obtain divorce, child support, child custody, and other relief to which they are entitled. Staff experts in public benefits and housing rights ensure that families are stable in the short term, so that they can achieve independence and permanent freedom from violence in the long term.
The Courtroom Advocates Project (CAP)
CAP engages private legal practitioners and law students in domestic violence work in the earliest stages of their careers. Through year-round trainings at law schools and major law firms, CAP enables law school students and law firm associates to advocate for domestic violence victims entering family court to obtain orders of protection.
When cases become contested, associates assume representation of the client under the close supervision of a senior staff attorney. CAP often initiates a career-long interest in domestic violence legal work among lawyers and students.
The Campus Advocates Project (CAP II)
The Campus Advocates Project (CAP II) provides legal consultations and representation to student survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence. Services are offered to students considering the Title IX process, the criminal/ civil justice system, or seeking advice regarding their legal options.
Similar to the Courtroom Advocates Project, the Campus Advocates Project connects survivors with trained law student advocates and attorneys who, assist survivors in navigating the available legal and non-legal options, help survivors decide which pathway(s) to justice may be best for them, prepare survivors for and accompany them to meetings with law enforcement, court appearances , and/or meetings/hearings related to the campus disciplinary process, work with survivors to develop safety plans, engage in evidence collection and preservation, and refer survivors to available community resources.
The Campus Advocates Project provides comprehensive, free, and trauma-informed attorney oversight for every case. To set up a consultation, please fill out our Intake Form. Please contact campusadvocates@sffny.org if you have any questions.
The Family Law Project
Project attorneys represent survivors in obtaining orders of protection, child custody and visitation, and child support.
The Immigration Intervention Project (IIP)
Immigration status is often a barrier to families seeking to escape current violent situations and heal from past violence. IIP aims to help immigrant victims of gender violence secure and maintain lawful immigration status, including legal permanent residence and U.S. citizenship, thereby empowering our clients to thrive independently and safely.
IIP attorneys assist with the full spectrum of immigration applications and defenses for which survivors and their families are eligible, including humanitarian waiver applications, Violence Against Women Act self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, U-Visas, T-Visas, asylum applications, and cancellation of removal. IIP takes pride in meeting the linguistic and cultural needs of the diverse body of clients we represent.
The Matrimonial/Economic Justice Project (EJP)
When leaving abuse, many survivors face economic instability as abusers often control family finances. EJP provides survivors of gender violence with legal representation to obtain divorce, child support, child custody, and other relief to which they are entitled. Staff experts in public benefits and housing rights ensure that families are stable in the short term, so that they can achieve independence and permanent freedom from violence in the long term.
Other projects overseen by the Legal Center include:
Do you need help? |
Do you feel trapped in an abusive relationship? It is not your fault and help is available. |
To chat with an advocate about safety planning, shelter, and counseling services, click here.
To chat with an advocate about family law, immigration, trafficking, or other legal concerns, click here.
If you are in immediate danger please call 911.