Legal Advocacy

 

The RCC Managing Attorney and Legal Advocate support survivors by helping them navigate through the difficult and often confusing legal processes of obtaining a protective order, and/or a divorce.

RCC works closely with the County Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office to help survivors of domestic violence obtain a protective order. The RCC attorney also consults on all legal questions, provides training on relevant legal issues and collaborates with legal service providers to increase pro-bono legal resources for clients.

 

In addition, the legal advocate and case managers meet with survivors at court, guide them through the process, provide referrals to attorneys and organizations that provide legal advice and sit alongside survivors in the courtroom during proceedings to offer support.

 

Why get a Protective Order?

A protective order may prohibit an offender from:

• Committing further acts of domestic violence

• Harassing or threatening the victim

• Going near a child protected under the order

Who Can Get a Protective Order?

• A current or former spouse.

• A blood relative such as a parent, sibling, child etc.

• A relative by marriage (an in-law)

• A person with whom you have a child in common

• A household member (such as a current/former roommate)

• A foster parent or child

• A person who whom you had a continuing romantic or intimate relationship

• Any adult can file for a protective order to protect a minor from family violence
   

In addition, a prosecuting attorney or the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services can file an application on behalf of any person alleged to be a victim of family violence.

 

You may also be able to get a protective order against someone who has sexually assaulted you even if he is not a family or household member (like a co-worker or neighbor).

 

Please note, a Protective Order can only deter someone from committing future family violence and punish those who violate a protective order, but a protective order cannot prevent family violence from occurring.