October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to stand with survivors, honor their strength, and shine a light on the challenges they face when seeking safety and stability. Escaping an abusive relationship takes courage. It also requires access to the legal protections and resources that make rebuilding a life possible.
For many survivors, navigating the legal system isn’t optional—it’s essential for safety, housing, and financial independence.
A survivor might need to:
Secure a legal protection order to keep themself and their children safe from future abuse
Get a divorce from their abuser
Set up a parenting plan or secure child support
Negotiate ending a lease to get to safer housing
Change their legal name for safety reasons
Get help untangling debt from their abuser
Civil legal aid makes this possible. At ELAP, our staff and pro bono attorneys help survivors understand their rights, access the court system, and take the necessary legal steps to move forward safely. Every day, we see the difference that free legal help makes—turning fear into empowerment and uncertainty into hope.
This October, we honor survivors by reinforcing that everyone deserves access to safety, justice, and a future free from violence.
