Budget Committee-Approved Grant Helps Domestic Violence Victims With Legal Expenses

Groups that work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault will have more money to pay for their legal expenses through a million-dollar grant that was approved by the Legislature’s budget committee last week.

The money will be broken up into $75,000 grants to agencies like Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services in Oshkosh, which helps about 400 domestic violence victims each year. Director Julie Keller said the funds will allow her to hire attorneys from Legal Action Wisconsin for about 100 more victims annually.

“A lot of times, the women that come to us and the victims that come to us, they don’t have the resources to hire attorneys or to get legal representation in cases involving domestic violence. Legal Action being able to have this resource will really help us work with victims,” said Keller.

Legal Action Wisconsin director Dave Pifer said the approval of the grant indicates increasing bipartisan support for helping low-income people navigate the court system.