Legal Services

Domestic Violence and Immigration Law Projects
Safe Horizon established the Domestic Violence Law Project (DVLP) in 1991. Since its inception, DVLP has provided high-quality legal representation to thousands of low-income and indigent battered women in orders of protection, custody, support, and divorce proceedings. DVLP attorneys also advocate for clients within the criminal justice system. DVLP staff conducts educational training seminars with clients, pro bono attorneys, and agency staff in order to increase awareness of the legal issues facing battered women.

The Immigration Law Project (ILP), operating since 1988, provides free and low-cost services to victims of crime, torture, and abuse in immigration proceedings. ILP has represented hundreds of battered women in Violence Against Women Act self-petitions and adjustment proceedings as well as gender-based asylum claims.

The legal programs operate a legal hotline that provides information, advice, and assistance to battered women. Over 1,200 women call the hotline each year. DVLP and ILP attorneys also receive referrals for representation from the citywide domestic violence hotline, directly from district attorneys and family court and immigration judges, and from community groups throughout the five boroughs.

To find out how Safe Horizon can help you, go to Legal Assistance.

Mediation
Since 1981, Safe Horizon’s Mediation Program has been helping New Yorkers resolve their disputes instead of entering into lengthy and expensive court processes. The mediator, an impartial third party, assists participants in finding their own solutions. Mediation helps to prevent the escalation of disputes into violent assaults, offers more immediate solutions than the court process allows, and decreases the number of cases in the family and criminal courts.

To find out more about Safe Horizon's Mediation program, go to Mediation.

To contact Safe Horizon’s Mediation Program, please call 212-577-1740 in Manhattan and 718-834-6671 in Brooklyn.

Precinct Programs
The Domestic Violence Police Programs (DVPP) team a Safe Horizon caseworker with a police officer to conduct home visits and follow up on cases of reported domestic violence. Caseworkers offer crisis intervention counseling and advocacy for victims of domestic violence to help them in working with the police and the District Attorney’s Office. DVPP counselors also conduct awareness presentations for police and in communities, business offices, and Police Service Areas throughout the five boroughs.

To contact Safe Horizon's Precinct Programs, please call the hotline.

Navigating the Court System
Safe Horizon operates more than 30 court-based programs throughout the five boroughs that assist victims in navigating the court system by providing advocacy, information, resources, and access to private waiting rooms for victims. Safe Horizon’s Children’s Centers, located in court houses in all five boroughs, provide free, supportive, educational child care for child victims and witnesses and other children of adults who must appear in court.

To find out how Safe Horizon can help you, go to Assistance in the Courts.

Supervised Visitation
Safe Horizon supervises visits between children and their non-custodial parents and provides individual and group counseling for children and their guardians. Case managers assess the child’s well being, advise parents on problems that result from separation, and help families develop long-term visitation agreements. Additionally, they keep the court informed of the progress and cooperation of each family member in the program in order for the Judge to make visitation and custody decisions that are in the best interest of the children.