Kim Hollenback, Managing Attorney of the Media Office of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania and VOCA Supervising Attorney spoke about the Victim of Crimes Act and the civil legal services for victims of domestic violence and other crimes her program offers.

We discussed the different kinds of abuse, physical, mental and financial, and she reminds us that it is between partners, that it is not limited to married couples. Anyone in a relationship – dating, parental or other, can be the victim of abuse, regardless of age or gender. 

Describing domestic violence as a public health issues, she talked about the relief her office can offer, including Protection from Abuse orders (restraining orders), child custody, divorce, landlord-tenant issues and even expungements.  

We discussed the restrictions that the state of Pennsylvania places on victims, they narrowly define DV as actual physical abuse, and how they are able to get protections and recourse for their clients.   

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA provides free legal services to low-income individuals and seniors throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.  Because the program is funded through the Victim of Crimes Act  they do not have income requirements, and they are permitted to assist non-citizens as well. She notes, however, that in many cases legal help is either too costly for families above the cut off and many victims of abuse do not have access to their funds.   

We discussed other funding for LASP and its programming and Kim reminds us that Legal Aid delivers up to a $12 return on every dollar invested in it; she encourages direct donations to keep them secure. 

For more information visit lasp.org/domestic-violence