Law group takes on domestic abuse

For the victims of relationship-related abuse in Indiana, there is a way out. \nThe IU and Bloomington communities are coming together against the threat of domestic abuse.\nThe Protective Order Project, comprised of 65 law school students and 16 attorneys, is a volunteer group devoted to securing legal protective orders for victims of domestic violence.\nThe organization serves clients not only residing in Monroe County, but the entire state of Indiana. While protective orders may be obtained without the POP's assistance, the organization plays a vital role in the process of protecting battered victims from further abuse. \nPOP's Student Director Amanda Feltman, a member for three years, became involved with the group to get hands-on experience with the law in a morally uplifting way. \nShe is one of five in the organization with the title of Certified Legal Intern, meaning she can represent clients in court before a judge without the guidance of an attorney. Those members who are not eligible for Certified Legal Intern status act as liaison between a client and an attorney working pro-bono. \n"We are here to hold their hands through the whole process," said Assistant Director Latonia Lee, who became involved in the group last year. \nLee, who is familiar with the problems of domestic violence in the community, attributes poverty, drugs and lack of education as three primary causes of abuse in the household. \nBoth Feltman and Lee agreed that obtaining a protective order is not always an easy matter. Depicting the dilemma that many of their clients face, Feltman points out that "they are victims of a cycle of fear and intimidation."\nThe other obstacle to getting a protective order is convincing a judge to enact it. While some judges approach matters of domestic abuse with understanding and pragmatism, others refuse to acknowledge the problem at all, Lee said. \n"There are judges," Lee said, "that will look at a client and ask 'he only hit you once?'" \nSuch variations in domestic values continue to pose a dilemma to both the POP and those victims seeking a protective order.\nIn addition to their work with POP, Feltman and Lee are closely involved with the Middle Way House Shelter. Middle Way is an emergency facility that provides immediate help to victims of domestic violence. Both Feltman and Lee emphasize that POP is not the emergency solution and point to Middle Way as a better, more immediate answer. The two organizations, however, have a very close working relationship. Middle Way provides the emergency aid and the emotional support base, while POP takes responsibility for the narrow focus on the legal action involved in defending victims of domestic violence. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Michael Schott at mschott@indiana.edu.