DV Legal Advocate-Benton

Job Summary

Responsible for providing information and assistance in obtaining Orders of Protection in Franklin County to walk-in and residential clients at the Shelter Program, coordinating legal advocacy activities with other court advocates, and providing professional training and advocacy within health care settings in regard to survivors of domestic violence.

Essential Functions

• Provides individual advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors.
• Interviews clients seeking Orders of Protection, determines eligibility for services, explains options under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Karinas Law, Crime Victim Compensation, and the process in obtaining an Order of Protection, assesses and refers for services to other Shelter staff or community resources.
• Assists clients in filing charges and obtaining Orders of Protection, including accompanying them to court.
• Trains Survivor Empowerment Center staff and volunteers on the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, Karinas Law, and Crime Victim Compensation as requested by the Domestic Violence/Shelter Program Manager.
• Organizes, with the support of other court advocates, Court-Watch programming for county(s) served.
• Participates and disseminates information from legislative alerts as directed by ICADV.
• Collects statistical information in Criminal Justice systems for county(s) served.
• Provides institutional advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors.
• Facilitates professional trainings on legal advocacy issues, Orders of Protection, for Law Enforcement, State's Attorneys, circuit clerks, victim advocates, and medical professionals.
• Makes appropriate referrals to Land of Lincoln and private attorneys.
• Documents all contacts with clients in individual client files according to funding standards, maintains up-to-date case records in accordance with the procedures of Survivor Empowerment Center, and provides this documentation as requested.
• Attends all community and/or interagency meetings as directed by the Domestic Violence Program Manager and/or the Executive Director.
• Serves as a back-up to other court advocates in case of illness or vacation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.