About the LAP

What is the LAP?

The purpose of the Legal Advocacy Project (LAP) is to increase the ability of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to effectively access and participate in the civil and criminal justice system by providing legal advocacy training and support for advocates. The LAP acts as a resource for advocates at the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault’s 18 member programs.

What Do We Do?

We Provide Resource Materials

• Provide technical assistance to domestic violence and sexual assault advocates on issues such as custody, safe visitation, divorce, child support, and protection orders;

• Publish an updated Alaska Women’s Legal Right’s Handbook, brochures on Full Faith and Credit, and federal gun laws;

• Maintain a comprehensive lending library of legal resource materials on DV and SA;

• Publish and update a Legal Advocacy Training Curriculum;

We Provide Statewide Training & Networking

• Conduct outreach to rural parts of Alaska;

• Assist domestic violence and sexual assault programs develop model policies and protocols in dealing with issues such as protecting the confidentiality of victim counselor communications, subpoenas, arrest warrants, and shelter records;

• Conduct regional and statewide trainings for legal advocates;

• Publish a statewide newsletter for legal advocates;

• Maintain a web site for legal advocates to access resources;

We Provide Free Statewide Civil Legal Representation for Victims

• Provide direct representation for victims in divorce, child custody, and protective order proceedings;

• Develop a network of pro bono attorneys to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;

• Provide training and mentoring to participating pro bono attorneys on family law and domestic violence issues;

• Continually update a forms bank and practice manual on family law issues and domestic violence;

• Coordinate the Legal Assistance for Victims grant in partnership with the Alaska Immigration Justice Project.