Advocacy spotlight: LASP provides crucial legal help for survivors of domestic violence, including Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders in all 4 counties
Snapshot: Our work on behalf of survivors in 4 counties
Spotlight: LASP’s vital role in Bucks County PFA Court
by Marion Hoffman Fraley, LASP Communications Director
(Oct. 18, 2024)
Throughout the year, LASP advocates help survivors of domestic violence in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties obtain Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and other relief. LASP attorneys are in court EVERY WEEK on behalf of clients seeking protection from abuse.
LASP has received funding through the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) since 2016. VOCA is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. However, VOCA funding does not cover all of the services that LASP provides for survivors.
2023-24 in all 4 counties
LASP VOCA attorneys handled 1,420 domestic violence and related cases in 2023-24 in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The total number of survivors and household members protected was 1,653.
In 2023-24, LASP obtained 501 protective orders for survivors of domestic violence in the four counties. Twenty-five percent of protective orders also included child custody orders. Some orders also included other provisions, including evicting the perpetrators. LASP also assisted survivors in obtaining housing, access to benefits, and divorces.
Protection from Abuse (PFA) Court in Bucks County takes place Wednesdays in Doylestown, at the Bucks County Justice Center at 100 N. Main St. (LASP photo: Oct. 16, 2024.)
SPOTLIGHT: LASP's vital work in Bucks County PFA Court
Unique program | LASP provides direct representation in PFA Court AND coordinates pro bono representation for ALL plaintiffs without representation!
Editor's note: The term "plaintiff" refers to a person who brings a legal action. "Plaintiff" and "petitioner" are used interchangeably in this article.
DOYLESTOWN - Bucks County Courts offer a longstanding program in Protection from Abuse (PFA) Court that is unique in Pennsylvania. Legal representation is provided in PFA Court to both plaintiffs and defendants, regardless of income. The parties can decline representation but almost always accept.
PFA hearings are scheduled every Wednesday at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown. Approximately 40% of the cases get continued (moved to a later date) and need to be assigned an attorney for the new date. As of Oct. 9 of this year, there have been 1,512 PFA cases. LASP has arranged attorneys for 1,151 of them, or a little over 76%.
LASP has been tasked by the court with making sure that all petitioners have a free attorney, regardless of income, if they do not already have representation. LASP cannot represent every petitioner, so LASP staff members recruit private attorneys to dedicate their pro bono time to this important work. LASP also arranges for petitioners who present conflicts of interest to have a pro bono attorney.
The Bucks County Bar Association coordinates pro bono volunteers for defendants. In addition, several attorneys volunteer as facilitators in PFA Court to help make the day run smoothly.
LASP attorneys provide direct representation throughout the PFA process.
Barb Kaner, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Staff Attorney
LASP Staff Attorney Barbara Kaner is available to advise clients about whether to file a PFA and will assist with drafting the petition.
When a petition has been filed with the court, LASP coordinates representation for ALL plaintiffs in PFA Court -- whether by LASP or a pro bono attorney. Each week, LASP staff work diligently to asign and reassign cases, scan and email petitions to attorneys and community partners, and to track the status of every case.
52 weeks a year, LASP:
Advises and directly represents PFA petitioners.
Assigns cases and scans and emails paperwork to other agencies and pro bono attorneys handling cases in Bucks PFA Court.
Recruits and trains pro bono attorneys for plaintiffs.
Kimberly Hollenback, LASP VOCA Supervising Attorney, is based in Delaware County and periodically assists in Bucks PFA Court. She noted, "The PFA program in Bucks County is unlike anything else we handle at LASP, and it could not function without the hard work of our team at LASP, the facilitators, and attorney volunteers. So many people dedicate their valuable time to making sure both plaintiffs and defendants get the benefit of counsel. Although there is no right to counsel in civil cases such as PFAs, Bucks County has recognized the value of having the advice and representation of counsel whether you are a victim of domestic violence or being accused of it."
Kimberly continued, "Each time I volunteer, I am in awe of the zealous advocacy and efficiency of this system. In particular, our attorney, Barb Kaner, handles large caseloads with ease and grace. We are lucky to have such a great team running such a demanding program. But we can’t do it without volunteer attorneys, so please consider joining us!"
How to volunteer for Bucks PFA Court
Pro bono attorneys who wish to learn more or volunteer for plaintiffs in Bucks County PFA Court can contact Durene McCarty, LASP Bristol Office Manager and Assistant Pro Bono Coordinator, at dmccarty@lasp.org or 215-398-6757. Choose any Wednesday(s).
To volunteer for defense, contact the Bucks County Bar Association.
LASP phone numbers to get help with domestic violence
Bucks County: 215-340-1818
Chester County: 610-436-4510 | Urgent: 484-803-2131
Delaware County Domestic Violence Helpline: 855-879-3100
Montgomery County Domestic Violence Helpline: 855-980-6924
‘Understanding Civil Protection Orders in Pennsylvania’
LASP Staff Attorney Brian Doyle shared information about protection orders in Pennsylvabia in an Oct. 7, 2024 virtual presentation hosted by Phoenixville Public Library. Watch or listen on the library’s YouTube page: https://bit.ly/YouTube-10-7-2024 .
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Phoenixville Public Library hosted Brian Doyle, LASP Staff Attorney, for a virtual presentation, "Understanding Civil Protection Orders in Pennsylvania,” on Oct. 7, 2024.
He discussed the two kinds of protection orders in Pennsylvania: Protection from Abuse (PFA) and Protection from Sexual Violence and Intimidation.
The session covered who should seek protection orders, the differerences between them, the process for obtaining them, their purpose, how they are enforced, and what evidence a judge requires to issue one. Doyle also shared where to apply for a protection order in the Chester County Justice Center, West Chester.
Watch the 35-minute presentation on the Phoenixville Public Library's YouTube page. https://bit.ly/YouTube-10-7-2024.
Victims Needs Survey
Take the Victims Needs Survey from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD): https://bit.ly/PCCD-survey-2024.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) would appreciate your participation in a brief survey that will play a vital role in ongoing efforts to enhance resources within your community. https://bit.ly/PCCD-survey-2024
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback.
1 in 3 women & 1 in 4 men in the U.S. experience domestic violence in their lifetime, but some face increased vulnerability
by Lucas Miller, LASP Communications Intern & Arcadia University senior
(Oct. 16, 2024)
Domestic violence can happen to anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. experience domestic violence in their lifetime. However, some populations are more vulnerable than others. People of color, low-income individuals, and members of the queer community may have a more difficult time accessing intimate-partner violence aid resources than others.
To combat this, there are programs in place that provide aid specifically to members of these demographics. You can find these organizations here:
API-GBV, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (https://www.api-gbv.org/)
Esperanza United, focusing on members of the Latinx community (https://esperanzaunited.org/en/)
NIWRC, the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (https://www.niwrc.org)
Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community (https://ujimacommunity.org/research/)
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If you are a survivor of domestic violence in Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) may be able to help you obtain a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order and other relief relatated to domestic violence. (lasp.org/domestic-violence)
Commemorating 40 years of VOCA
Visit the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)’s website to learn about the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)’s history, timeline from the 1980s to present, its impact on crime victim services, and the future of VOCA. https://bit.ly/VOCA40
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA has received VOCA funding since 2016. LASP provides trauma-informed legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence, including obtaining Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and more.
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) turned 40 on Oct. 12, 2024! Legal Aid of Southeastern PA has received VOCA funding since 2016. LASP provides legal help for survivors of domestic violence, including obtaining Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and more, in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
Visit the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)’s website to learn about VOCA’s history, timeline from the 1980s to present, its impact on crime victim services, and the future of VOCA. https://bit.ly/VOCA40
Signed into law on October 12, 1984, this historic legislation created the Crime Victims Fund to provide a source of federal funding to support state victim compensation and assistance programs.
Kristina Rose, OVC Director, wrote in an Oct. 11 letter:
"October 12, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and four decades of acknowledging crime victims’ experiences with the criminal justice system and enhancing services for survivors of crime as they seek physical, financial, and emotional healing.
"One of the most consequential developments to arise from VOCA was the establishment of the Crime Victims Fund, a dedicated funding source made up of criminal fines, penalties, and bond forfeitures from convictions in federal cases – not tax dollars. More than $38 billion dollars have funded local programs since VOCA was enacted. Those programs have provided mental health, housing, legal assistance, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and other services to help victims and survivors. ...
"Millions of victims and survivors have received life-saving and life-affirming services. As we reflect on this important milestone, let me offer a nation’s gratitude for your commitment to ensuring that all crime victims have options and access to vital victim services."