More Lawyers Needed to Skype Domestic Abuse Victims
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: October 16, 2012
PEORIA- The Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria is asking lawyers for help.
Victims of domestic abuse can get free legal advice thanks to technology, they Skype in with lawyers without having to meet in person. The Lieutenant Governors Office thought it was such a good idea, it expanded the virtual legal clinic to a center in Jacksonville.
Now both centers are sharing lawyers. The Center for Prevention of Abuse said the commitment is only a few times a week, and a few extra volunteer lawyers would help many victims of domestic abuse.
"Right now we have four lawyers who are volunteering their time for this program. As the awareness becomes available and more people are aware of the service, and as the program expands throughout the state, we're definitely going to need more lawyers who are willing to give up their time," said Sarah Dillefeld with the Center for Prevention of Abuse.
Dillefeld said lawyers should specialize in family law, a lot of the problems it deals with are with divorce, visitation and custody issues. Dillefeld said consultations last about 45 minutes.
Victims of domestic abuse can get free legal advice thanks to technology, they Skype in with lawyers without having to meet in person. The Lieutenant Governors Office thought it was such a good idea, it expanded the virtual legal clinic to a center in Jacksonville.
Now both centers are sharing lawyers. The Center for Prevention of Abuse said the commitment is only a few times a week, and a few extra volunteer lawyers would help many victims of domestic abuse.
"Right now we have four lawyers who are volunteering their time for this program. As the awareness becomes available and more people are aware of the service, and as the program expands throughout the state, we're definitely going to need more lawyers who are willing to give up their time," said Sarah Dillefeld with the Center for Prevention of Abuse.
Dillefeld said lawyers should specialize in family law, a lot of the problems it deals with are with divorce, visitation and custody issues. Dillefeld said consultations last about 45 minutes.
