The mission of the Effingham Victim Witness Assistance Program is to provide assistance, including referrals, advocacy and support to victims and witnesses of personal injury crimes. Victims of family violence, in particular, domestic violence between partners, make up a large percentage of EVWAP clients. EVWAP staff assists in the filing of family violence protective and stalking petitions and exparte orders. Many of our domestic violence victims require additional legal assistance in issues of extending protective orders, separation, divorce and child custody. EVWAP needs attorneys to offer pro bono services to domestic violence clients and their families in order to have adequate legal representation at court hearings following the receipt of an emergency protective. EVWAP staff work with pro bono counsel with various administrative tasks to alleviate the burden on them and their staff in representing our clients free of charge.