Family Advocacy Clinic Receives $500,000 Grant from Coalition Against Family Violence

March 15, 2007

Legal help is on the way for victims of family violence. Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel, L'88 and Franklin County Commission President Mary Jo Kilroy today announced a new partnership, which will send $500,000 to the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence to provide free legal services to victims of domestic violence. The funds will pay for civil protection orders, divorce and contested child custody cases as well as other legal actions that are necessary for abused women to live violence-free lives.

"We are incredibly grateful to our city and county leaders for their partnership with us in serving the victims of family violence,” said Abigail S. Wexner, the Coalition’s founder. “This funding represents the kind of public/private collaboration that is essential to raise awareness and develop large-scale initiatives for prevention and intervention."

“Domestic abuse affects everyone. Teen dating violence is widespread, and 75% of elder abuse is committed by a family member,” said Mary Jo Kilroy, President, Franklin County Commissioners. “Through its systemic approach, the Coalition is in a unique position to impact this pervasive problem that has no socio-economic boundaries.”

"In Central Ohio, 80% of violent juvenile offenders and adult prisoners come from homes where domestic violence occurred," said Columbus City Council President Michael C. Mentel, L'88. "This situation isn't going away soon. These dollars represent the city's continued commitment to stopping the cycle of family violence."

The government funds were presented in two, $250,000 increments, evenly split between Franklin County and the City of Columbus.

The funds will be used to defray the costs of operating the Family Advocacy Clinic at Capital University Law School, which has been providing free legal representation since 2000 with funding from the Columbus Coalition. The Clinic has been active in 4,502 cases, helping women who do not qualify for help from the Legal Aid Society but who are without resources to cover legal fees.

“The Family Advocacy Clinic has been an outstanding program for our Law School students and faculty. It provides both a service to the community and an educational opportunity,” said Jack A. Guttenberg, Dean, Capital Law School. “This funding will permit the Clinic to increase the number of individuals it represents and will provide further opportunities for students.”

The Family Advocacy Clinic employs five staff attorneys who serve fellowship appointments of varying lengths. Two clinical law professors, Danny Bank, L’90, and Lorie McCaughan, L’96, work with the attorneys and third year law students who obtain a limited license through the Ohio Supreme Court. Professor of Law Roberta Mitchell, L’72 is the Clinic director.

Founded in 1998 by Abigail S. Wexner, the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is comprised of leaders from corporate, medical, law enforcement and social service agencies, as well as faith communities in Central Ohio committed to reforming our systems to stop the cycle of violence in our community. Learn more at www.thecolumbuscoalition.org.