Family Violence Appellate Project

Family Violence Appellate Project is the only nonprofit organization in California and Washington state dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors appeal dangerous court decisions that leave them and/or their children at risk of ongoing abuse. We provide free legal representation to appeal cases that put domestic violence survivors in danger, overturning these decisions and helping survivors get the safety and justice they deserve. By obtaining publication of our cases, we are also setting new legal precedents throughout California and Washington state that prioritize the safety of abuse survivors and children. THE PROBLEM Decisions reached by trial courts in domestic violence cases far too often leave survivors and their children in danger of ongoing abuse. At least half of batterers who frequently abuse their spouses also frequently abuse their children, and one study found that abusers are granted custody in 54% of custody cases involving documented domestic violence. ...