Domestic Violence Awareness Month underscores need for legal aid

"October is a time to raise awareness about the epidemic of domestic violence, which makes up 50 percent of all reported crimes committed against people in Washington.

Every day, domestic violence?—?as well as the often-intertwined crimes of sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking?—?causes tremendous harm to thousands of Washingtonians.
Gov. Jay Inslee and legislators have been working on strategies to protect domestic violence and sexual assault survivors by addressing the underlying causes of these crimes and holding perpetrators accountable. Local tragedies, including the 2003 death of Crystal Judson Brame at the hands of her estranged husband, Tacoma Police Chief David Brame, have raised awareness about domestic violence and led to further action, including the creation of the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center.

The Inslee administration recently narrowed the gap in services available to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes by investing a significant portion of federal Victim of Crime Act money in civil legal programs. Legal aid services help people who cannot afford an attorney navigate the justice system. In cases of relationship and sexual violence, that often means help with securing a protection order against the perpetrator..."

Continue reading