Legal Advocates for Abused Women (LAAW) is dedicated to helping victims of abuse in times of crisis, working within the legal system, law enforcement and criminal & civil court systems to break the cycle of violence at the earliest possible stage. LAAW is a local domestic violence organization in the greater St. Louis area that provides crisis intervention & support, legal information & advocacy, safety planning, and legal & social service referrals for victims of abuse.
There are many reasons the staff and volunteers at Legal Advocates for Abused Women do the work we do. The best way to explain is through the stories of the families we serve.
Zach’s Story
Zach’s picture shows his excitement about going home to his older siblings and his mom, Tina. It will be the first tim they will be together in their own home in several years. Three years ago, Zach and his brothers and sister were removed from Tina’s custody and placed in separate foster homes due to their father’s severe and frequent abuse of their mother. Once her children were taken away, Tina had to find the courage and the resources to leave her abuser and to build a life in which she and her children would be safe from harm. As Tina worked to gain financial and emotional stability, her husband stalked and terrorized her. He used visits with the children to threaten Tina and at court hearings, he painted a picture of her as an inadequate mother. With the assistance of Legal Advocates for Abused Women, Tina obtained an Order of Protection against her husband and worked with detectives to have stalking charges issued against him. About the advocates who worked with Tina over the years, she states “It is people like you who let us know there is support and kindness in the world.” This year, Tina and Zach’s wish has come true… they are all together and safe.
Jessica’s Story
Jessica, a client of the Domestic Violence Intervention Partnership, was referred to the program when her ex-boyfriend stabbed her 11 times, strangled and attempted to suffocate her. DVIP advocates responded to the hospital with DART detectives to provided emergency advocacy services. Advocates assisted her with transportation and in finding safe shelter when she was released from the hospital. DVIP advocates also provided her with a free Verizon cell phone so that she was able to maintain contact with advocates, prosecutors, detectives and family and assisted her in obtaining money for her medications from the Family Violence Council’s emergency medical fund.
Jessica was accepted into a Domestic Violence shelter where she stayed for two months before she was accepted into a transitional housing program for victims of domestic violence. Jessica continues working with DVIP and Victim Services as her case proceeds through the criminal justice system.
