 | |
Mobilizing the legal profession to provide access to justice and safety for victims of domestic violence. | |
New! Legal Response to Trafficking Series
The impetus for the creation of these publications came from the many attorneys who contacted the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence seeking information about human trafficking and wanting to ensure that they were providing comprehensive legal assistance to their clients. We hope each will serve as an important and timely resource for you in your practice.
Domestic Violence Titles
Judicial Checklist, 3rd Edition
This six-page checklist provides judges with a handy list of considerations for any domestic violence case, including legal and behavioral implications, danger assessments, and special factors in child custody and civil protection order cases. The checklist, printed on glossy card-stock, is a good resource for judges and litigators, and makes a valuable training tool. To review a copy, click here.
10 Myths About Custody and Domestic Violence and How to Counter Them
Lawyers who represent victims of domestic violence in custody matters often encounter these common myths. This one-page tip sheet provides facts and recent statistics for use in litigation. To review a copy, click here.
The Civil Law Manual: Protection Orders and Family Law Cases, Third Edition
This is a completely updated version of our most popular practice guide. This manual, a compilation of essential legal theory, practice tips, procedural requirements, and safety planning strategies, is designed to guide the victim's attorney through the process of representing domestic violence victims in either protection order or family law cases. The Third Edition includes updated references and sample documents, an expanded discussion of assessing client needs to promote safe and effective legal outcomes, and re-designed layout and chapter division. Click to review the Table of Contents.
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Your Legal Practice: A Lawyer's Handbook, Second Edition
This publication is the second updated and expanded edition of the Commission's most popular handbook. It provides an overview of domestic violence and the law, and it aids attorneys in every field of practice in representing clients responsibly, by helping them recognize domestic violence and how a legal matter may be impacted by domestic violence. Over 80 authors contributed to this comprehensive reference publication that covers topics such as "Safety and Domestic Violence," "Men's Roles," "Protective Orders and Other Injunctive Relief," "Criminal Matters," and "Domestic Violence and the Workplace." This publication is a valuable tool in assisting attorneys with the intersection of domestic violence and the law. Click to review the Table of Contents.
A Guide for Employers: Domestic Violence in the Workplace
This guidebook promotes employer awareness of domestic violence and suggests safety protocols and strategies to protect and assist employees who are victims. Click to review the Table of Contents.
The Commission on Domestic Violence has developed an easy-to-read brochure to teach children how to best protect themselves safely during a violent incident and who to go to for help. This pamphlet is perfect for legal services waiting areas, hospital emergency rooms, or child care centers.
Breaking the Silence: Journeys of Hope
A compelling one-hour documentary told through the stories of abuse survivors, originally aired on PBS. Each video comes with a facilitator's guide prepared by the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence.
It's Not O.K.: Let's Talk About Domestic Violence
Produced by the Commission on Domestic Violence, in partnership with the Walt Disney Company, It's Not O.K. is a video for professionals working with children who experience domestic violence. Developed with the help of national experts in the fields of domestic violence and children's counseling, this video is meant to serve as a springboard for discussion for children's therapy and peer support groups in shelters, courts, counseling centers, and schools. It comes with a Presenter's Guide, which helps professionals develop appropriate follow-up programs to the showing of the video.
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
A publication of the ABA Center on Children and the Law, this report suggests actions that bar groups and attorneys should take regarding assuring child safety; education, treatment, and awareness; legal representation of victims; limiting firearms access; custody and visitation; the child abuse-domestic violence nexus; and immigrant women and children.
Commission on Domestic Violence Resources
Free Downloads
Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking in Civil Protection Order Cases
With "black letter" adopted by the American Bar Association House of Delegates in August 2007, these Standards of Practice are intended to improve the quality of legal representation of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; to enable lawyers to effectively, ethically, and holistically represent victims in civil protection order cases; and to raise awareness about the need for high-quality representation for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in civil protection order cases. Our hope is that the Standards (and additional commentary) will be integrated into trainings for new and/or pro bono attorneys representing victims in protection order cases and provide guidance for organizations advocating for victims of domestic violence.
The Commission is available to provide assistance with integration of the Standards or developing trainings for attorneys using the Standards. To order hard copies, click here.
Comprehensive Issue Spotting: A Tool for Civil Attorneys Representing Victims of Domestic & Dating Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking
This is a screening and referral tool for civil attorneys to facilitate effective and holistic client-centered representation. The spiral-bound, tabbed booklet is designed to encourage attorneys and clients to identify areas beyond civil protective orders in which clients may need legal assistance, and then provide clients with the knowledge and information to make informed decisions regarding accessing additional resources. To order hard copies, click here.
Tool for Attorneys to Screen for Domestic Violence
This useful and effective tool will help attorneys incorporate appropriate questions, safety planning, and referrals into everyday practice to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive the support and information they need to become safe. The tool includes sample questions, examples of steps to take to ensure the safety of attorneys and clients during representation, and resources for clients who are victims of domestic violence. To order hard copies, click here.
New! Pocket Version of the Screening Tool
Created by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, this is an abbreviated, pocket-sized version of the full-sized Screening Tool described above.
Finding a Lawyer
The ABA Commission on Domestic Violence partnered with Women Work! The National Network for Women’s Employment to produce Finding a Lawyer, a valuable resource for anyone trying to decide if, when and how to find a lawyer.
VAWA 2005 for Attorneys
On January 5, 2006, President Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005) into law. This document is designed to be a brief summary and reference tool for attorneys to ensure that they are incorporating VAWA 2005 provisions into their representation of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and trafficking.
Teach Your Students Well: Incorporating Domestic Violence into Law School Curricula, A Law School Report
This 256-page report is the culmination of the Commission's work with law school faculty and students to assess and increase the incorporation of domestic violence education in today's law schools. To order a hard copy, click here.
Domestic Violence Safety Tips for You and Your Family
The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence and Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section are pleased to offer the Domestic Violence Safety Plan brochures in six different languages. Download it by clicking below.
| English | Japanese |
| Spanish | Korean |
| Chinese | Vietnamese |
ABA Division for Public Education brochures
Please visit the ABA Division for Public Education to purchase hard copies of these brochures.
