Mid-Columbia domestic violence agency gets boost from stimulus grant

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer

Nearly $60,000 in federal stimulus money will be used in the Tri-Cities to help victims of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin counties received a grant from the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy that allowed it to hire a third legal advocate to help domestic violence victims file protection orders and work through the court system, said Erinn Gailey, program director.

The $59,340 grant will fund the new legal advocate's position for 19 months, and Domestic Violence Services will be working to find funding to keep the position once the grant funds are gone, she said.

"Legal advocacy for (domestic violence) victims is a vital and critical service," Gailey said.

Domestic Violence Services has had two legal advocates who provided protection order clinics at both the Benton County Justice Center and the Franklin County Courthouse. They had one-hour clinics, five days a week in Kennewick and a one-hour clinic on Mondays in Pasco.

Now that it has a third legal advocate on board, it has expanded the amount of time advocates are available to help victims fill out the necessary court paperwork and explain the court process.

Clinics are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday in Kennewick, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Friday in Pasco.

"It's a very good service and I'm glad Domestic Violence Services is able to provide an additional advocate on Fridays," said Franklin County Clerk Mike Killian. "... With the growth in the Tri-Cities, we've seen a lot more need for individuals who need help filling out domestic violence paperwork.

"Of course they're shook up, they're afraid, they're scared," he added. "Having someone here from Domestic Violence Services helps a lot."

In Pasco, advocates used to have to help victims in the hallway by the clerk's office. But they are now able to use the jury room on the first floor of the courthouse, which gives them a private space to talk with victims, he said.

In Kennewick, they use a room down the hall from the clerk's office near the sheriff's office.

The advocates are available to help victims on a walk-in basis during the clinic times. Court clerks, by law, cannot give victims legal advice on their cases, so it's helpful to be able to refer people to the protection order clinics, Killian said.

Clerks can try to help explain the process to victims, but they can't help them fill out the necessary paperwork.

The legal advocates can, and they can go to court with the domestic violence victims, Gailey said.

"We can help hold their hands through the process," she said.

Officials say the number of people seeking protection orders has been increasing in the Tri-Cities. Franklin County typically has five protection order cases on the docket, but last week there were 11 cases, Killian said. Two weeks ago, 27 cases were on the docket and this week, there are 22 protection orders being filed in court.

Last year, Domestic Violence Services helped 298 victims file restraining orders in both counties. So far through May, they've helped 110 victims.

"What we assist with, we know is only one-third of those that are actually being filed," Gailey said. "This is really going to allow us to connect more."

To get a protection order, victims pick up a packet of information from the clerk's office that they need to in order to request for a temporary order. Once the request is filed and a temporary order is obtained, victims typically have to return to court two weeks later to present their case in front of a judge and secure a permanent order.

"Research (shows) ... that people who have advocates are more likely to see that process through," Gailey said. "... Our clients are more likely to come back for their permanent order."

Domestic Violence Services, a non-profit organization, provides free, safe and confidential shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence.

For help or more information, call the 24-hour crisis line at 582-9841 or 800-648-1277.

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Sunday, Jun. 21, 2009

Mid-Columbia domestic violence agency gets boost from stimulus grant

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer