Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence Funding Supports Capital University Law School Family Advocacy Clinic

Jan. 29, 2002

CONTACT: Stephanie Tresso, (614) 221-2885, ext. 15
Susan Bass, (614) 415-7074
Karen Days, (614) 722-5985
Roberta Mitchell, (614) 236-6517

The Family Advocacy Clinic at Capital University Law School has received $398,000 in funding from The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence to offer free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence. Of these funds, $197,000 will be used to support the clinic's new Contested Child Custody Project. The other $201,000 will provide ongoing support for the Civil Protection Unit of the clinic. 

In October 2000, with seed funding of nearly $230,000, the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence launched the Capital University Law School Family Advocacy Clinic to provide free legal services to victims of domestic violence who do not qualify for Legal Aid services, yet are unable to afford a private attorney. To date, 693 domestic violence clients, primarily women, have received free legal assistance. 

"Before the development of this clinic, more than 800 victims per year fell between the cracks and were left unprotected," said Abigail Wexner, coalition founder and board chair. 

"When it comes to determining eligibility for our assistance, we consider each case individually due to the circumstances often associated with the finances of domestic violence victims," said Roberta Mitchell, professor of law and director of Clinical Programs at Capital University Law School. "Often, bank accounts are controlled by abusers, which means victims may, in reality, have no access to any money, no matter what their incomes are."

Mitchell, who also serves on the coalition's Legal System Task Force, added that this latest initiative will allow the Family Advocacy Clinic to expand staff and services to accommodate the needs in our community. Plans include increasing staff size from two to four attorneys and accepting contested child custody cases for victims of violence. 

Currently, the Family Advocacy Clinic helps victims file for Civil Protection Orders and provides assistance with housing needs, employment concerns, and divorce or dissolution proceedings. With this funding, the clinic will be able to provide legal representation in contested child custody cases when family violence has been involved. 

The Family Advocacy Clinic, which is funded solely by The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence Fund, is located at Capital University Law School, 303 E. Broad Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 645-2412.

"The Family Advocacy Clinic is a critical community resource that allows us to provide assistance to victims who might be trapped in an abusive relationship," said Karen Days, executive director of The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence. 

Founded in 1998, The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is organized around five task forces each focused on strategies designed to create systemic change. These task forces are: Business Community/Public Education, Faith Community, Health Care, Legal Justice System and Victim Services. 

The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is comprised of leaders from businesses and organizations in Central Ohio committed to reforming our systems to stop the cycle of violence in our community. The coalition's mission is to promote a community culture that supports victims and does not tolerate family violence - a pervasive crime that hurts everyone. The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is located at 700 Children's Drive in Columbus and can be reached at (614) 722-5985.