Increased Services for Domestic Violence Survivors in Helena

Helena- Survivors of domestic violence in the Helena region will soon have more services to help them navigate the legal system to achieve safety for themselves and their children. The Friendship Center recently received a grant from the Office of Violence Against Women Legal Assistance to fund a full-time attorney through a contract with Montana …

Civil Legal Aid in Action

When Callie first realized she needed legal help, she was desperate. Even though she was only 32, she had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and was struggling to cope with the treatments.  At the same time, her home life was deteriorating as her husband became increasingly abusive and violent. Callie couldn’t risk losing …

MLSA Receives Competitive Mary Byron Award

Helena- The Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) recently received a competitive award from the Mary Byron Project for its innovative domestic violence prevention efforts. MLSA received a cash award of $10,000. The Mary Byron Project has made the prestigious Celebrating Solutions award annually for fourteen years. MLSA’s award was in recognition of the Survivor's Legal …

New Funding for Domestic Violence Services in Dillon

Dillon- The Women’s Resource Center and the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) recently received a grant to the Women’s Resource Center from the Office of Violence Against Women Rural Domestic Violence program in the amount of $327,918, to be disbursed over three years. This funding has helped MLSA hire attorney Bree Williamson, a resident of …

Record Number of Domestic Violence Deaths in Montana

Before you read this article, please know: An abuser can track your computer and Internet use. Learn more about using a safer computer and keeping your computer sessions private. ————————————————————————————————————————————————- Domestic violence, relationship abuse, stalking, sexual assault . . . All are more common than we like to admit. In fact, 16 Montanans have been killed by …

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Do you know that October is domestic violence awareness month? Domestic violence, relationship abuse, stalking, sexual assault . . . All such forms of violence are more common than we like to admit. Sometimes we suspect someone we know is a victim but we don't know what to do. Often it seems easier to look …

MLSA Trains Law Enforcement at Rocky Boy’s Reservation

MLSA staff attorney Jennifer Hill-Hart recently trained law enforcement at Rocky Boy's Reservation on domestic violence issues. Alongside trainers from the FBI, Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and others, Ms. Hill-Hart provided information and resources on identifying domestic violence and determining predominate aggressors in domestic violence situations. MLSA legal experts are available for …

MLSA Congratulates Crime Victim Advocates of the Year

Kelly Erickson-HAVEN (Bozeman), Angie Fox-Yellowstone County Attorney's Office (Billings), and Janel Pliley, Adult Protective Services (Powell County), were recently recognized for their exemplary service in 2014 by Montana's Attorney General Tim Fox. Jan Berry, MLSA Supervising Attorney-Domestic Violence Practice Group, wrote a letter of recommendation for Ms. Erickson and presented at a ceremony in Bozeman. …

MLSA Helps Survivors of Domestic Abuse

In October, MLSA has blogged each Thursday on relationship abuse/sexual abuse/stalking topics in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We encourage you to share the information we blog on with your friends, family, and coworkers. — Please note: Always call 911 if you are in immediate danger.And know that if you are a domestic …

Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission

This post is by guest author Matt Dale, Director of the Montana Office of Consumer Protection & Victim Services, as part of the MLSA Advocacy Blog’s focus on domestic violence issues this October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. MLSA thanks Matt for this contribution.This October we remember those who have died at the hands of their …