Partnership Resource Network
Project Name: 2012 Wraparound Victim Legal Assistance Network Demonstration Project
Applicant: National Crime Victim Law Institute
Applicant Type: NonProfit
Application Number: 2012-40291-OR-VF
Funding Request: $400,000
Focus: Victims and Victimization, Crime Victimization
Location: OR
Areas Covered: State of OR
Summary: Crime victims’ legal needs are many and varied. For example, a victim of domestic violence could need legal services related to employment, family law, a criminal case, and immigration. The complexities of the justice system, combined with the trauma a victim is surviving make it nearly impossible for victims to address these needs themselves. The best option for victims is the retention of a personal attorney to help them navigate the system and ensure that their voices are heard, needs are met, and that they are re-empowered. Unfortunately, there are few affordable legal services in the community for victims and even those that do exist, simply cannot respond to the needs of all victims. Further, in light of the diversity of victims’ needs and of the nuance of law, a single attorney is simply not equipped to meet every potential need of a victim.
To address the need for empowering, holistic legal services for victims, the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) proposes the Oregon Crime Victims Legal Assistance Network (Network), the overarching purpose of the which is to create a network of victim legal assistance that provides wraparound legal services in Oregon for victims of all crime types that can be replicated in other areas of the country. The Network will be directed by a Steering Committee of diverse legal experts, experienced in serving victims; advised by a multi¬disciplinary Advisory Group; and informed by a needs assessment that will be conducted in its first year. The Project has four goals: 1) create a collaborative network to provide no cost legal services responsive to the needs of Oregon’s crime victims; 2) establish systems, protocols, policies, and procedures for network services; 3) create an active pool of pro bono attorneys able to effectively and timely represent victims of crime; and 4) pilot test the Network to test its systems and services in order to refine the Network and draft a blueprint for replication.
For Further Information:
Margaret Garvin
Executive Director & Clinical Professor of Law
310 SW 4th Avenue
Suite 540
Portland, OR 97204
garvin@lclark.edu
(503) 768-6953
Application Submitted in Response to Solicitation: Wraparound Victim Assistance Network Demonstration Project
Grants.gov Assigned Number: OVC-2012-3190