The Legal Assistance to Victims Project supports Community Legal Aid's mission by assisting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and stalking find safety and independence. The project provides holistic legal services for victims and vulnerable children to help them gain protection from physical, mental, and financial abuse. Project staff work collaboratively with domestic violence shelters and sexual assault service providers in the region to coordinate services to survivors and offer two day-long conferences each year for shelter advocates, social workers, law enforcement, prosecutors, members of the judiciary, private attorneys, and legal aid staff.
Legal Assistance to Victims
A partnership with local shelters, courts, and other community services to serve survivors of violence.
How can legal aid help?
Our legal team can provide free information, advice, and even representation on domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other issues affecting survivors of abuse. We can help with:
Protection orders for sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence
Custody and visitation rights
Divorce
and many other legal issues that impact a survivor's ability to move on and become safe and independent from their abuser
How does LAV work?
Victims are referred through community partner organizations, including domestic violence shelters. They are then screened for eligibility before being placed with an attorney or volunteer. Those not eligible for services may also receive referrals to other community services or self-help materials to assist in court proceedings.
Who are our partners? (If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1)
Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter, Stark (330) 823-7223
Christina House, Columbiana (330) 420-0036
COMPASS Rape Crisis 24-Hour Hotline, Stark (330) 452-1111
Domestic Violence Project, Inc., Stark (330) 453-7233
Hope & Healing, Battered Women's Shelter of Summit and Medina, Summit (330) 374-1111 and Medina (330) 723-3900
Hope & Healing, Rape Crisis Center, Summit and Medina (330) 434-7273
Ohio Domestic Violence Network, statewide (800) 934-9840
One Eighty, Wayne (330) 263-6021 - Hotline for domestic violence or sexual assault (800) 686-1122
Safer Futures, Portage (330) 673-2500
Someplace Safe, Trumbull (330) 393-3005
Soujourner House, Mahoning (330) 747-4040
Others coming soon.
"We do many things at Legal Aid. We save homes by preventing evictions and foreclosures. We save much needed benefits for the disabled and for veterans. We save income and assets for people facing crushing debt through bankruptcy. But there is only one thing we do that directly saves lives, and that is the work we do for survivors of violence."
-Steven McGarrity, Legal Aid Executive Director
Last updated on December 11, 2023.