" The most selfish thing you can do is to help other people "
-Brian Mullaney
Legal Resource Network
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault Generally
AnswersDoes your pro bono training qualify for CLE credit?Yes, the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence is able to provide CLE credit for the training you receive as a pro-bono attorney. Can I get CLE credit for the volunteer attorney hours I work as part of this pro bono opportunity?Yes, you can receive 1 CLE credit for every six (6), 50-minute, volunteer attorney hours during any reporting cycle. In other words, you get 1 CLE credit for every 5 (actual) hours you spend on pro bono (up to 6 credits). You can earn a half-credit for 2.5 hours. The following chart should help you calculate your CLE credits:
Are there other benefits to this pro bono opportunity?For many, this pro bono opportunity is a chance to learn a new practice area, to network with a group of dedicated volunteer attorneys and staff attorneys, and to gain valuable litigation experience. You will receive comprehensive training and mentoring from experienced marital law attorneys. You will gain courtroom experience. Many law firms encourage pro-bono participation; the time you spend on this pro-bono opportunity will be viewed positively by organizations which rate firms and attorneys. You will also benefit from free online visibility on our Volunteer Attorney Profile page. Other incentives include features in our newsletter (circulation of over 4,000), sponsorship of events, and awards. Why is this pro bono opportunity so critical to the Nassau County community?Victims of domestic violence can find themselves trapped with few resources. Often, this creates a power imbalance that carries over into the legal system, where victims do not have the legal or financial resources to adequately protect their rights or their childrens' interests. The work of our volunteer attorneys, helps level the playing field for the victim, to help keep victims and children safe from abuse. Although the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence has provided legal advocacy in more than 18,000 proceedings, there is currently a backlog in certain practice areas, and the assistance of talented, volunteer attorneys is vitally important to our ability to continue to promote justice and safety in the Nassau County community. What initial training is available as part of this pro bono opportunity?Volunteer attorneys will receive a comprehensive initial training in matrimonial law and procedure from experienced matrimonial attorneys. Volunteers will be provided with forms, training manuals, and sample documents. This initial training will last several hours, and will provide volunteer attorneys with the information they need to initiate proceedings and to understand the dynamics of domestic violence. What ongoing training is available as part of this pro bono opportunity?Volunteer attorneys will receive ongoing training and additional, in-depth exploration of the relevant law. What ongoing mentoring is available as part of this pro bono opportunityVolunteer attorneys will be assigned a mentor available to answer questions, review pleadings, and give the assistance necessary to provide both appropriate representation for the client and a professionally valuable pro bono opportunity for the attorney. How much time should I expect to spend if I accept this pro bono opportunity?The time commitment varies according to the complexity of the case and any tangential issues that arise. Abusers frequently attempt to manipulate and control the legal process to make it as difficult as possible for the victim. Volunteer attorneys should be prepared to commit to represent the client throughout the entire course of litigation. What will I be doing as a pro bono volunteer?Nassau County's victims of domestic violence are in urgent need of volunteer attorneys to assist them in severing ties with their batterers. In these contested matrimonial cases, the pro bono attorney will appear in Supreme Court to litigate issues similar to those in other matrimonial cases, including grounds for divorce, equitable distribution, maintenance, child custody, and child support. The pro bono attorney may also encounter issues more specific to the dynamics of domestic violence, such as orders of protection. How do I get started as a volunteer attorney and begin this pro bono opportunity?Please Volunteer Now to get started with this pro bono opportunity. What is the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence?The Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a private, not-for-profit organization offering information and services about domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, elder abuse, and children who witness family violence and sexual assault. Is the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence a non-profit organization?Yes, it is an independent, not-for-profit, 501(C)3 organization established in 1978. What is the mission of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence?To assist and empower victims of domestic violence and sexual assault while challenging and changing social systems that tolerate and perpetuate abuse. What is domestic violence?Domestic violence consists of a pattern of behaviors by one person in a relationship to coerce or control the other. Partners may be married, single, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, living together, separated, dating, or involved in any intimate relationship. Such behaviors may include repeated beatings or threats of violence, verbal and psychological abuse, forced sex, deprivation and control of family finances and possessions, and progressive isolation. How many people are victims of domestic violence?According to the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic Violence, 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some point in their lifetime. Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. Based on population, it is estimated that, at any given time, there are approximately 100,000 victims of domestic violence in Nassau County. In 2008 and 2009 alone, 16 adults and children in Nassau County lost their lives in domestic violence homicides. What is rape and what is sexual assault?Rape can be broadly defined as forced sexual intercourse and is inclusive of a wide variety of behavior. Sexual assault is unwanted sexual contact short of rape, including touching or fondling. The definitions of rape and sexual assault apply equally to anyone who inflicts these crimes, including spouses or significant others. It is not necessary for the perpetrator of rape or sexual assault to be a stranger. In fact, 73% of rape victims know their assailant. How many people are victims of rape and/or sexual assault?According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. This means that approximately every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. |
