Call for Legal Aid Services at Domestic Violence Shelters
Start Date
2023 2:15 PM
Location
Alter Hall Poster Session 1 - 3rd floor
Abstract
This explorative study aimed to gain more knowledge on legal services offered or referred to survivors of domestic violence, by their intervention coordinator. Previous research on intimate partner violence and barriers to seeking help have suggested the following services to help survivors of domestic violence and to improve knowledge among professionals. The services include the need for financial resources and a supportive network; childcare and resources to get an education or work; and legal routes. (Kiamanesh & Hauge, 2019). This study examines legal aid services and referrals completed by intervention coordinators at YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Shelter. In response to the barriers of seeking help for survivors of intimate partner violence, the YWCA provides two safe, secure, trauma-informed, confidential shelters for survivors of intimate partner violence. The shelters provide immediate safety and protection, allowing survivors to work towards longer-term security and stability through securing housing and providing services and referrals. Services and referrals are made by clients’ intervention coordinators including referrals to legal aid, workforce development, children's programs, and aftercare. The data was collected in the form of a survey and distributed via email. Surveys were distributed to the four intervention coordinators at YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Shelter based on their clients during the month of March 2023. This presentation aims to explore the relationship, if any, between the need for legal aid and survivors of intimate partner violence. While also considering the possible impact of barriers to the client for utilizing services and referrals. Factors that may prevent survivors to utilize legal aid referrals and services include but are not limited to, the willingness of the client, time management, eligibility, and financial resources. Results have been collected and will be presented later.
Kiamanesh, P., & Hauge, M. (2019). “We are not weak; we just experience domestic violence”—Immigrant women’s experiences of encounters with service providers as a result of domestic violence. Child & Family Social Work, 24(2), 301–308. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cfs.12615
Call for Legal Aid Services at Domestic Violence Shelters
Alter Hall Poster Session 1 - 3rd floor
This explorative study aimed to gain more knowledge on legal services offered or referred to survivors of domestic violence, by their intervention coordinator. Previous research on intimate partner violence and barriers to seeking help have suggested the following services to help survivors of domestic violence and to improve knowledge among professionals. The services include the need for financial resources and a supportive network; childcare and resources to get an education or work; and legal routes. (Kiamanesh & Hauge, 2019). This study examines legal aid services and referrals completed by intervention coordinators at YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Shelter. In response to the barriers of seeking help for survivors of intimate partner violence, the YWCA provides two safe, secure, trauma-informed, confidential shelters for survivors of intimate partner violence. The shelters provide immediate safety and protection, allowing survivors to work towards longer-term security and stability through securing housing and providing services and referrals. Services and referrals are made by clients’ intervention coordinators including referrals to legal aid, workforce development, children's programs, and aftercare. The data was collected in the form of a survey and distributed via email. Surveys were distributed to the four intervention coordinators at YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Shelter based on their clients during the month of March 2023. This presentation aims to explore the relationship, if any, between the need for legal aid and survivors of intimate partner violence. While also considering the possible impact of barriers to the client for utilizing services and referrals. Factors that may prevent survivors to utilize legal aid referrals and services include but are not limited to, the willingness of the client, time management, eligibility, and financial resources. Results have been collected and will be presented later.
Kiamanesh, P., & Hauge, M. (2019). “We are not weak; we just experience domestic violence”—Immigrant women’s experiences of encounters with service providers as a result of domestic violence. Child & Family Social Work, 24(2), 301–308. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cfs.12615
