The Los Angles City Attorney’s Office reviews thousands of domestic violence cases each year. For the victim of any crime, navigating the legal process can be intimidating, but for domestic violence victims the process usually feels even more overwhelming because of the complicated nature of their relationship to the defendant. In addition, the scope of the impact of abuse by an intimate partner is far more complex than victimization by a stranger. The City Attorney’s Office Family Violence Unit has created a new Victim Support Program to provide assistance to these victims throughout the city in all five of the Branch Offices.
Specially trained Victim Support Volunteers will accompany domestic violence victims through the court process, educating them about the legal system that will be prosecuting the case, accompanying them to court proceedings to provide emotional support during testimony, and helping to ensure they understand legal documents like protective orders. Volunteers will also help connect victims to resources beyond the courtroom to address the impact of the abuse, such as counseling, safety planning, shelter, Victim Assistance Programming, or Family Court Services.
The Victim Support Program is currently looking for community members who would like to volunteer in the Branch Offices in the San Fernando Valley. A successful volunteer is an adult who is caring and compassionate, and able to commit to at least one 4½ shift per week for a minimum of 6 months. Training will be provided, so volunteers do not need to have previous legal or domestic violence backgrounds. For more information about the volunteer position and requirements, please contact the Victim Support Program at att.victimsupportprogram@lacity.org.
For more information:
Emily Janes
Administrative Coordinator
Victim Support Program
(213) 202-5491
Emily.Janes@lacity.org
