Legal Advocacy for Domestic Violence Survivors: The Power of an Informative Relationship

In: Families in society: the journal of contemporary human services, Volume 80, Issue 2, p. 138-147

Abstract

This article uses data from interviews with domestic violence survivors and advocates to show how legal advocacy for survivors can be successful when it responds to women's relational needs by offering emotional support information, and the physical presence of an advocate. Survivors were usually confused, doubtful, and lonely when they tried to cope with the police and the courts. Advocates lent a supportive, empathic presence and possessed valuable information. Advocates' relationships with survivors enabled them to take further legal actions against batterers. This study suggests that an active, relational helping model meets essential needs for some survivors of crime.