Compassion and Care

Ms. Davis* felt completely alone- she didn’t know anyone else who had suffered intimate partner abuse, and while she knew that she should probably leave, she didn’t know how. She lived with her boyfriend of three years, and couldn’t afford a new residence on her own. But her boyfriend made the choice easier for her when he attacked her one night, hitting her so hard that she lost sight in one eye and blood was pouring down her face. As she was trying to get to safety, he grabbed a knife and came after her with it. This wasn’t the first time that he had put his hands on her, but the risk of losing one of her eyes gave her the strength to leave. She came to the Safe Families Office, where she was met with compassion and care. Advocates there walked her through the Temporary Protective Order process and stayed with her every step of the way.

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation paired her with an experienced attorney who represented her pro bono at her evidentiary hearing. She was awarded an order that kept her boyfriend from contacting her or coming close to her and ordered him to reimburse her for her medical bills, attend Family Violence Intervention Program courses, and undergo drug and alcohol evaluation. Even after the hearing and volunteer commitment was over, AVLF’s volunteer attorney continued to advocate on Ms. Davis’ behalf when her boyfriend failed to send payment as ordered. Ms. Davis reported, “My lawyer made me feel reassured and I honestly got a sense of comfort and protection knowing there was someone that cared about the severity of my case. I will never forget [my attorney] and what he did for me.