Attorneys

Technical Assistance 1-888-235-3425 or 717-671-4767

The Legal Department's attorneys and trainers provide training and technical assistance to any attorney who is assisting a survivor of domestic violence. Topics can include the Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act and procedures, PFA case law and updates, child custody, support, divorce, housing, appellate practice, safety and technology, state and federal firearms laws and cases, compliance with the Federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and domestic violence resources.

Attorney training and technical assistance is funded by a grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Office on Violence Against Women Legal Assistance to Victims. Our services are confidential.

Attorneys may call with any question related to representation or assistance to a victim of domestic violence. For legal resources, training or assistance, contact PCADV's Legal Department at 1-888-235-3425 or 717-671-4767. (This is not a victim helpline.)

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Training

Contact PCADV's Legal Department at 1-888-235-3425 or 717-671-4767 about customized training for your practice, law school or professional conference.

Recent training topics for Pennsylvania law audiences:

• Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act and Case Law
• Stalking and Technology - Evidence
• State and Federal Firearms Prohibitions
• Appellate Practice and Custody Appeals
• Advocating for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence

Tools

The Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act PCADV, 2010 contains the full text of the Act, 23 Pa.C.S. sections 6101 - 6123.

The Pennsylvania PFA Act Annotated contains the full text of the Act, 23 Pa.C.S. sections 6101 - 6123, and appellate case law annotations within the applicable sections. The PFA Annotated also describes cases relevant to the PFA Act's relationship with other proceedings: custody, divorce, and dependency. Cases are also indexed by relevant section.

For Judges About Domestic Violence
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Through a free email subscription, the courts have access to case law updates, articles about domestic violence, national and local training opportunities and helpful tools such as judicial bench cards and web resources. See previous issues

STOP Newsletters

STOP (Services. Training. Officers. Prosecutors) e-Newsletter
The STOP Program encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women and children. PCADV is awarded grants to provide training and technical assistance to STOP team members, including law enforcement, prosecutors, courts and victim services providers. The STOP Newsletter contains articles about the Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act, technology and safety advocacy, stalking, firearms, primary aggressor and related issues. It is distributed free to email subscribers on a quarterly basis.

Sign up to receive the STOP e-Newsletter
Visit STOP Newsletter archives

Addressing Discriminatory Housing Barriers For Victims of Domestic Violence: A Toolkit for Attorneys

This toolkit provides information, tips, and referrals for attorneys helping domestic violence survivors to:

• Establish grounds to challenge an actual or threatened eviction
• Obtain or prevent the loss of public housing or assistance
• Institute a federal or state action for damages on behalf of a client

PCADV's Housing Webinars - 2-Part Series - 2013

Part 1: Addressing Discriminatory Evictions
Play Webinar Recording
Slides Part 1
Eviction Flow-Chart

Part 2: Understanding and Asserting Federal Housing Protections
Play Webinar Recording
Slides Part 2

Courtroom Evidence: A Resource for the Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases

Designed in consultation with prosecutors from across Pennsylvania to address important evidentiary issues that are regularly encountered by prosecutors who specialize in domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking cases. 
• Relevance of Prior Abuse
• Witness Competency
• Spousal Privilege
• Hearsay
• Confrontation
• Child Witness Statements
• Social Media Evidence
• Experts
• Special Evidentiary Concerns in Stalking Cases
View this manual in your browser

Conference: Developing Trauma-Informed Systems
Thursday, April 17, 2014

Host: The Women’s Resource Center and Barbara J. Hart Justice Center, a project of the WRC Announces Conference 2014

Thursday, April 17, 2014, 8:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
At Marywood University, Scranton PA

Audience: Counselors, Educators, Lawyers, Social Workers, Legal Professionals

Brochure with Registration Information

Survivors of trauma and childhood adversity have social service, health, mental
health, and criminal and civil justice issues that bring them into all of our human service delivery systems. But these systems are not well-prepared to address the
implications of this new scientifically-grounded knowledge about the impact
of trauma and adversity.

This seminar will bring together Dr. Sandra Bloom, a psychiatrist with expertise in the development of trauma-informed systems; Carol Tracy, Esq., Executive
Director of the Women’s Law Project; and Robert Reed, Esq., Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney to, describe what it means to have a trauma-informed system.

CLE’s and CEU’s available to Judges, lawyers, law enforcement, educators, social workers, advocates and counselors.

Representing Clients Experiencing Trauma in Civil Protection Order Cases
May 12, 2014

Host: National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit
Register Here

Date: Monday, May 12, 2014, Time: 2:00-3:30pm (EDT)
Audience: Attorneys, Advocates, Law Enforcement and Court Personnel

This webinar will provide information on how to tailor legal advocacy of clients who are experiencing trauma in order to:
-Provide assistance that accommodates their mental health needs.
-Make civil legal justice accessible.
-Obtain the best possible legal outcomes.

Discussion will include: The definition and effect of trauma on clients and how to counsel clients in a trauma-informed manner, as well as strategies that anticipate and account for trauma in court.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit for Attorneys: Please check with your state bar for CLE requirements and related fees. We will provide teleconference materials and an attendance certificate to those applying for CLE credit.

Registration Details: This webinar is open to OVW grantees and the general public. Registration will close on May 9, 2014.
Register HERE!

You will receive a confirmation email from emailservice@ilinc.com immediately after registering. If you don't receive the email, please check your spam/junk folder. You will receive a reminder containing the webinar and audio information the day before the event. Please keep both emails.

More information: NCPOFFC via email- type "Webinar" in the subject line.