Know Your Resources, Change Your Future: Domestic Violence Advocates in the US

In this episode of Was Justice Delivered? Dror Bikel is joined by leading domestic violence survivors’ advocate and Vice President of Government Affairs at Safe Horizon, Michael Polenberg, to discuss free legal help for domestic violence survivors, how abuse victims find a safe place to stay, legal help for immigrant and undocumented victims of domestic abuse, securing T-Visa’s and U-Visa’s, legal assistance for trafficking victims, mental health counseling services for abuse survivors, low-cost immigration legal services, access to victim compensation, improving legal rights for domestic violence survivors, and more.

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:15) Introducing Michael Polenberg
(00:02:30) Getting Help for Domestic Violence
(00:04:22) Domestic Violence Shelter Systems
(00:05:31) Legal Assistance for Low-Income Victims
(00:06:36) Legal Aid for Immigrant Survivors
(00:07:10) Legal Services for Trafficking Victims
(00:07:33) Cost of Domestic Violence Legal Aid
(00:08:21) Do Courts Protect Survivor Rights?
(00:10:53) Criminal Court v. Family Court
(00:12:49) Do Victims Need a Lawyer?
(00:13:40) Mental Health Services for Domestic Violence
(00:14:31) Ongoing Support from Safe Horizon
(00:15:57) How Effective is Safe Horizon?
(00:17:48) Funding for Domestic Violence Services
(00:18:52) Fighting for Legislative Change
(00:25:28) Fair Access to Victim Compensation
(00:30:10) Creating Legal Rights for Abuse Survivors
(00:33:16) Adult Survivors Act
(00:35:37) Survivor Contributions to Legislation
(00:38:26) Improving the Crime Victims Fund
(00:40:15) Funding for Safe Horizon
(00:41:13) Advice for Lawmakers
(00:42:09) First Steps for Victims of Abuse
(00:43:00) Outro

Trigger Warning: The first season of Was Justice Delivered? dives into the legal and personal side of domestic violence. If you are in immediate danger please contact the national domestic violence hotline at 800-7999-7233.

Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
Safe Horizon (safehorizon.org)
1 (800) 621-HOPE (4673)
Domestic Violence Law Project (safehorizon.org)
1 [phone] ext. 1101
Domestic Violence Shelters (safehorizon.org)
1 (800) 621-HOPE (4673)
Immigration Law Project (safehorizon.org)
1 [phone]
Anti-Trafficking Program (safehorizon.org)
1 [phone]
Safe Horizon Counseling Center (safehorizon.org)
[phone]
Support Safe Horizon (safehorizon.org/mysafehorizon)

For the full episode show notes, visit drorbikel.com/podcast.
Discover Dror’s books: drorbikel.com/books.
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