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
Bill (IFO Amendments)
Click to read the Intrafamily Offenses and Anti-Stalking Orders Amendment Act of 2018, a bill we worked on with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. We will testify in support of the bill on June 21, 2018.
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
Tracey Coates and Sara Tennen: The Divorce Chronicles
Listen to Tracey Coates, DCVLP Board Director and Sara Tennen, DCVLP’s Deputy Director discuss domestic violence and divorce.
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!
White Paper on Right to Attorney: Access to Justice for All

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