Women Against Abuse
Philadelphia Bar Foundation Grant Impact
Continued support from the Philadelphia Bar Foundation allows Women Against Abuse Legal Center to fulfill its mission of serving victims of domestic violence through quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental services. Operating support from the Bar Foundation has enabled the Legal Center to undertake new and innovative initiatives, expanding outreach and services to immigrant, high-risk, and other underserved populations, while allowing the Legal Center to continue core services for victims seeking support for PFAs, custody, or general support.
Summary List of Programs and Services
The Women Against Abuse Legal Center provides free legal services for domestic violence victims in their protection from abuse, custody, and support matters. The Legal Center is among the first in the nation to provide dedicated legal services to victims of domestic violence.
Women Against Abuse recently established the Attorney Fast Track program in which Women Against Abuse attorneys are stationed in the 2 PFA courtrooms. Fast Track attorneys are often able to provide immediate representation to victims; however, in more complicated cases, the attorney assists the victim with a continuance request and refers the victim for an in-depth intake interview and extended representation from WAA staff attorneys.
Advocacy: WAA Legal Center works with the Philadelphia Family Court, the Philadelphia Bar Association and other agencies to improve the legal system for domestic violence victims. The Legal Center works with the Philadelphia Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Human Services and other systems that victims of domestic violence frequently have contact with to ensure these systems are accessible and responsive to the needs of domestic violence victims.
Summary List of Priorities for Client Intake
Protection From Abuse, custody and support representation for victims of domestic violence. Criminal court advocacy for victims of domestic violence.