DOVE Project year-end IOLTA Report Fiscal Year Submitted by Virginia Martin

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1 DOVE Project year-end IOLTA Report Fiscal Year Submitted by Virginia Martin Introduction For more than two decades, the DOVE Project has excelled in coordinating the volunteer efforts of dedicated New Hampshire lawyers, delivering free legal representation to thousands of victims of domestic violence. This project boasts of a long-standing partnership between the statewide network of crisis center agencies and private practice attorneys. Sharing in each other s strengths, crisis center advocates and lawyers garner trust and respect from victims of domestic violence as they seek protective relief through the courts. We are proud to have invested in survivors successes as they gain independence from abusive partners to create safe homes and create healthier futures for themselves and their children. Serving Victims of Domestic Violence with Restraining Order Cases Since 1993, the DOVE Project has marshalled the efforts of volunteer lawyers to give victims of domestic violence the opportunity for expedited legal representation at final restraining order hearings. DOVE provides the infrastructure recruitment, practical and substantive educational programs, linkage of attorneys to clients through crisis center advocates, and administrative support - to volunteer lawyers and advocates. Although New Hampshire s domestic violence law was written for the pro se litigant, victims are often unable to meet their burden at the final hearing. Through DOVE s ongoing commitment to educating partners regarding domestic abuse awareness and the remedies available to victims, attorneys are more likely to obtain additional relief such as child support, financial compensation for destruction of property, use of residence and a vehicle, and more; relief that is important towards victims ability to live independent of their abusers. Each year scores of victims receive lifesaving legal assistance through DOVE but unfortunately the need far outstrips our resources. Holding an abuser accountable: It may be an understatement to say life with an unpredictable and volatile partner is extremely challenging but leaving can be complicated and dangerous. For the victim of domestic violence whose story is recounted below, it was the fact she had a baby to nurture and protect that boosted her courage to take action. For years her partner was controlling of her time, movement, and their finances, however when he abused alcohol he became violent and aggressive. His escalating fits of rage, resulted in destruction of the apartment and personal items which prompted her to call the police for help. With the support of an advocate and representation from a volunteer DOVE attorney, she sought protection through the Court. Justice prevailed and she obtained protective orders restraining her former partner from contacting or coming near her and

2 her family. In addition, he was to pay her weekly for support of their child and his time with the child was to be supervised through a visitation center. Unable to accept the final decision, the opponent soon filed a motion to modify the order. The DOVE attorney agreed to represent the client for further hearings on this matter and to her relief the abuser s motion was denied and all orders remained in effect. IOLTA s support added to VAWA STOP grant funding sustains the DOVE Project and our partnership with crisis center advocates. Thanks to this support, DOVE remains a critical legal resource and lifeline for members of our communities experiencing violence from intimate partners, including the young mother above Serving Victims of Domestic Violence with Family Cases Beyond Restraining Orders Domestic Violence Advocacy Project (Subgrant from NH Legal Assistance s VAWA Legal Assistance for Victims) There were limited referrals within this time period for these cases in anticipation of discontinued federal funding that occurred last fall. Despite this loss of funding, Pro Bono remains committed to serving as many victims of domestic abuse as resources allow by tapping into our volunteer resources. We have maintained our collaboration with NHLA through a biweekly case review meeting to identify the best resource for each application. NHLA s DVAP paralegal has assumed the responsibility for screening new applicants and preparing them for case review, a role formerly performed by the DOVE Coordinator. Pro Bono has been investigating new opportunities to support services to victims of domestic violence for cases beyond restraining order hearings. The grants administrator for the NH Department of Justice invited the Pro Bono Program and NH Legal Assistance to add a legal services piece to the Department s application for continued federal funding supporting supervised visitation services (Justice for Families). Together, Pro Bono and NHLA developed a proposal for delivering services to victims who will need safe visitation orders within the context of divorce and parenting cases. We anticipate a decision on the grant by early fall. Unbundled Project Pro Hac Vice (PHV) Through this program victims of domestic violence receive wrap-around services, combining the expertise of skilled family law practitioners with the supportive assistance from crisis center advocates having knowledge of/access to many local services. Crisis center advocates screen potential clients adhering to protocols developed specifically for his program. Volunteer lawyers provide discrete legal tasks, from case assessment and preparing clients for hearings to reviewing agreements or drafting documents. As reported at six months, a component of PHV funding is our partnership with public libraries and development of resources, including a resource binder and child support educational DVD for Pro Se Victims of Domestic Violence. Last summer volunteer lawyer Cathy Shanelaris and NHLA DVAP director taped a one-hour

3 presentation on how to request child support orders within the context of a restraining order or family law case. The DVDs produced from this session are included in a resource binder provided to crisis center agencies they were delivered to public libraries throughout the state in January Since that time we have received several requests from librarians for additional copies. Our library received a copy of the excellent handbook for victims of domestic abuse, and I wondered if it is possible to receive an extra copy of it. While it belongs in the Reference section, I know from experience the people in need of these services will not march up to the circulation desk and ask for it. NH Catholic Charities (NH-CC) Referrals As reported in our interim report, Pro Bono forged a strong relationship with NH-CC. Despite lack of targeted funding, Pro Bono does its best to review cases from NH-CC for volunteer lawyers as appropriate and as resources permit. In turn, we refer clients with immigration concerns to Catholic Charities for consultations. Program Development/Attorney Recruitment Attorney Training Seminar The DOVE Coordinator is developing a live CLE program for September 30, 2014, reaching out to new lawyers and those new to family law practice, but also extending the program to experienced lawyers as well. This full-day seminar will focus on the basics, from conveying insight into the dynamics of domestic abuse to providing effective legal advocacy for victims seeking domestic violence restraining orders. Faculty includes Hon. Edward Gordon, Attorneys Mary Krueger, Robert Hunt and Sunny Mulligan, Jill Rockey of the Crisis Center of Central NH, Chief David Goldstein and Scott Hampton, Psy.D. Interim Training Opportunities During this past year, attorneys interested in joining the panel or requesting a refresher course of training are provided a non-live DVD and written materials. We make sure all seminars are videotaped to assure attorneys are given the opportunity to receive the training needed to join DOVE at any time, although attendance at live training events is strongly encouraged. UNH School of Law DOVE s partnership with UNH Law and its Daniel Webster Scholar (DWS) Program continues to be a great opportunity to reach out to law students to foster relationships and future pro bono commitment. During a mini-series event in March 2014, DOVE Project faculty consisting of volunteers with the law firm of Nixon, Raiche, Vogelman, Barry & Slawsky, P.A., an advocate with Crisis Center of Central NH and a Concord police officer covered domestic violence law and practice, along with the judicial perspective. DOVE continues to facilitate scholars participation in representing victims of domestic violence at final restraining order hearings, enlisting seasoned DOVE practitioners to mentor and supervise law students under Rule 36.

4 Outreach and Training for Advocates AmeriCorps Victims Assistance Program (AVAP) In September 2013, the DOVE coordinator co-presented with the director NHLA s Domestic Violence Advocacy Project at the introductory training program to inform new AmeriCorps advocates about legal resources available for victims/survivors of domestic abuse. We were invited back to review the materials on May 16, This was an opportunity for Pro Bono and NHLA to reinforce the access offered to advocates and promote referrals of our mutual clients to legal services. After six months of being on the job these advocates are in a position to appreciate the range and diversity of services offered by each program, and link clients with the most appropriate agency. We are scheduled to present in September 2014 as we further our collaboration with AVAP. Training in August 2014 The statewide seminar for crisis center advocates, originally targeted for early summer has been pushed back with a proposed target date in August. The DOVE coordinator continues to visit individual sites and respond to inquiries on a daily basis. While beneficial to meet one-onone with advocates, a statewide, formal program with exchange of ideas and practices offers its own special advantages.

5 Referrals DOVE Referrals 6/1/13 5/31/14 County Number of Referrals Primary* Victims Secondary* Victims Total* Helped Belknap Carroll Cheshire Coos Grafton Hillsborough North Hillsborough South Merrimack Rockingham Strafford Sullivan OOS Total * Unduplicated primary and secondary victims DOVE Cases Closed 6/1/13 5/31/14 County Number of closed cases Number of hours Estimated value Based on $150/hour Belknap , Carroll , Cheshire , Coos Grafton , Hillsborough North , Hillsborough South , Merrimack , Rockingham , Strafford 0 0 Sullivan , OOS Total ,107.50

6 DVAP Cases 06/01/13 09/30/13* Crisis Center Referrals to NHLA Referrals to Volunteer Hours for closed cases lawyers A Safe Place 5 8 Bridges 1 2 YWCA 1 1 Crisis Center Central NH Total *VAWA LAV funding lapsed on 9/30/13 PHV Cases 6/1/13 5/31/14 Crisis center Referrals to volunteer lawyers Hours for closed cases Bridges 1 2 Crisis Center of Central NH Starting Point 1 2 Voices Against Violence 3 5 Response 2 2 YWCA Crisis Center 1 1 Turning Points Network 1 Total