Policy and Advocacy

DCVLP uses its one-on-one experience with victims and at-risk children to advocate for better policies, legislation, and increased funding. We are active members of a number of local groups including:

DC Consortium of Legal Service Providers

DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Victim Assistance Network (DC Office of Victim Services)

Victim Legal Network of DC

Testimony

DC City Council hearing in support of amendments to the Intrafamily Offenses Act to improve civil laws for victims (06/21/2018) – Karen Barker Marcou, Lorraine Holmes
DC City Council hearing in support of increasing OVS 2019 budget (04/13/2018) – Jackie Love-Baker

Click on the links below to see or listen to our City Council testimony.
DCVLP Testimony for OVS Oversight Hearing 020718
DCVLP Testimony for City Fund 11117
DCVLP Testimony for 2018 Budget Oversight Hearing 41217
DCVLP Testimony re: CFSA 2016

Leslie Morgan Steiner on WTOP

Listen to DCVLP Board Member Leslie Morgan Steiner discuss domestic violence laws in the region and give a shout out to DCVLP. Well done, Leslie!

Amicus Brief

DCVLP has signed onto a number of amicus briefs in support of domestic violence victims. An amicus brief is submitted to the court by a third party as “a friend of the court” in order to assist the court in making its decision. It can be an effective way to assist the victim in the present case and improve case law for future victims/litigants facing the same legal issues.

Carrell v US – Brief of Amici Curiae