A newly approved $1 million in federal funding is helping three legal organizations provide no-cost services to low-income victims of domestic violence and stalking.
The money, approved last week by the Executive Council, will be shared among New Hampshire Legal Assistance, the New Hampshire Bar Association's Pro Bono Program and the Legal Assistance Resource Center. The three organizations are partnering to reach victims earlier to find them lawyers who can help draft restraining order petitions and represent victims in court.
Data from the courts shows just 9 percent of the more than 5,000 domestic violence and stalking victims who filed restraining order petitions in 2015 received legal help. Lawyers can help victims win fair child support payments and appropriate protections from their abusers.