Volunteer Legal Clinic Supports Survivors

“The SafePlace legal clinic is very powerful. This service leaves clients with the very real gift of empowerment and information, which they otherwise would not have been able to access,” explains Mary Pontarolo, Executive Director of SafePlace. “It is such a gift of ‘freedom’.” The clinic is a new and unique program that combines the legal expertise of volunteer attorneys and the skills of SafePlace advocates to offer survivors services essential to their safety.

Twice a month attorneys, SafePlace advocates and other volunteers come together to offer a free legal clinic to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Since it’s inception in July 2005, the legal clinic has served more that 400 individuals.

Legal proceedings can be extensive and overwhelming, and often clients represent themselves. The legal clinic offers survivors an opportunity to have their questions addressed in a safe and confidential manner by an attorney who understands the issues of domestic and sexual violence. According to Scott Douglas of Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services, “the clients leave feeling empowered with the information needed to address their legal problems, and assistance which they may not otherwise have received.”

“One of the many highlights of this program is the collaboration that occurs between agencies,” says Douglas. “Each agency contributes to making the clinic a success and each agency benefits from the coordinated interaction at the clinic,” he said. “The best part is that clients are receiving higher-quality services because the agencies are working together,” Pontarolo adds.

Anna, a recent legal clinic client is a great example the importance of this program. Anna attended the legal clinic four times. At first she was overwhelmed and frightened of facing the challenges of the legal system alone. With guidance and advice from the volunteer attorneys, she walked through the process step-by-step. After her final visit to the clinic, she had successfully overcome her fear and managed to retain custody of her children, as well as finalize her divorce. All of these steps were essential to the safety of herself and her family. In Anna’s words, “I realized that I didn’t have to be stuck forever, and that I wasn’t alone.”

One reason the legal clinic is unique is because the lawyers have a comprehensive understanding of the issues of domestic and sexual violence, as well as understanding client fears of the legal process. “The lawyers are knowledgeable, courteous, and compassionate. They help clients to free themselves from the legal trap they are in, in a caring manner,” says Davy Long, SafePlace Cambodian Community advocate. Not only do clients have access to legal advice, SafePlace also provides advocates to listen and problem-solve other issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence.

The legal clinic has partnered with the YMCA to offer childcare for parents truly unable to find alternative arrangements. According to Connie Sue Brown, SafePlace Legal Advocate, “we want to give a hearty thanks to the YMCA for their willingness to help us respond to this need. Because they allow clients to use their childcare program, parents are able to focus on the legal matters, and not worry about their children. This is a huge aspect of the success of the legal clinic for many clients.”   

The clinic is held at the SafePlace business office, located at 314 Legion Way, from 6-9 pm, and clients must arrive by 8 pm. Please call 360 754-6300 for upcoming clinic dates.