LawHelp Offers Free Legal Tools & Resources to Connect Attorneys and Victims

NEW YORK - Oct. 7, 2016 - PRLog -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a month set aside to raise awareness about a serious issue facing millions of Americans nationwide. While the rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) has declined in recent years due to enormous efforts to raise awareness and provide resources for victims and survivors, the rate of IPV is still extremely high. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each minute there are approximately 20 people physically abused by their intimate partner in the United States. Nearly 1 in 2 women, and 1 in 5 men, experience IPV in their lifetime. In addition to recognizing the severity of the issue, Domestic Violence Awareness Month also serves to connect advocates working on the issue throughout the country.

LawHelp (www.LawHelp.org) is a national network of nonprofit legal information websites dedicated to providing free online legal resources to individuals with limited means. It helps individuals find free legal aid in their communities, answer common legal questions and access self-help tools. Through LawHelp's resources, domestic violence survivors can identify abusive behavior, obtain orders of protection, protect their children and access assistance related to housing rights and public benefits. Additionally, many resources are available in languages other than English. Those working with domestic violence survivors are encouraged to visit LawHelp.org and use these resources to serve and support victims. LawHelp is a program of Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit that leverages innovative technology and forges collaborations to increase access to justice.

"Law Help empowers survivors of domestic violence by making crucial information - including legal referrals, information about legal rights and how to access self-help forms - accessible when and where they need it" explains Audrey Roofeh, Pro Bono Net's Director of Program Delivery.

Developed in 2001 by Pro Bono Net, with support from the Legal Services Corporation, LawHelp helps more than 10 million visitors a year find the legal assistance they need.

Attorneys looking to get involved in the fight against domestic violence can visit the National Domestic Violence Pro Bono Directory (www.probono.net/dv), which offers a range of pro bono opportunities including filing an order of protection, doing research for advocacy, and providing legal help to immigrant survivors of domestic violence.