How To Get Free Legal Help From The LA Center For Law & Justice

Aired July 7, 2024:For 50 years, The Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice has offered legal services for communities facing multiple barriers to accessing justice. Their mission? To secure justice for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, empowering them to shape their own futures.  Unfortunately, about 80% of family law cases involve at least one self-represented individual, totaling over 16,000 survivors in LA County who are navigating their legal battles alone. Lack of access to legal representation puts survivors at risk of losing crucial protections and rights.   LACLJ is like a non-profit law firm with a full staff of social workers. LACLJ provides survivors with expert legal representation and dedicated advocacy both inside and outside the courtroom. Their commitment extends beyond addressing legal challenges, as they also connect families to essential resources, fostering self-sufficiency and creating more hopeful futures. Our center even includes several social workers on staff. LACLJ’s core legal services include: Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Family Law (Custody, divorce, paternity) Immigration (VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, SIJS, Adjustment of Status, DACA, Removal Defense) Civil Advocacy Criminal Justice Advocacy   In this podcast, Lisa Foxx talks to the Executive Director of the LACJL, Carmen McDonald all about their history, who they help and how they can help those needing assistance in the above areas at NO COST. If you feel unsafe and are in need of protection, dial 911. If you need crisis support, immediate assistance, or shelter 24 hours a day/7 days a week, please reach out to: the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733 (some stats from their website) DOMESTIC ABUSE 34.9 % of California women suffer intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime 31.1% of California men experience intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime 166,890 domestic violence-related calls made to L.A. law enforcement in 2018 SEXUAL ASSAULT There were 3,869 sexual assaults in 2022 across Los Angeles County Over 18,000 reported rape Incidents in California in 2023 Among LAUSD High school students, 6.7% (13,854) reported physical date violence HUMAN TRAFFICKING  California has the highest rate of human trafficking in the US (1,334 cases, 2,122 survivors) In 2018 almost 1 in 10 homeless individuals reported to be sex or labor trafficked in LA county Approximately one in five homeless youth in California has experienced some form trafficking,  14% experiencing sex trafficking 8% experiencing labor trafficking 3% experiencing forms of both  MORE 24/7 HOTLINES that help YWCA of Greater Los Angeles: 877-943-5778 East LA Women’s Center: 800-585-6231 Strength United: (818) 886-0453 or (661) 253-0258 Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice5301 Whittier Blvd., 4th FloorPhone (323) 980-3500Email: [email protected] **See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.