Preventing abusive litigation against domestic abuse survivors

Legal Voice helped to draft and pass this law to address domestic violence abusers use of the legal system to further victimize their ex-partners and is consulting with other states seeking to adapt this model that addresses the complex obstacles survivors face in court.

“Some domestic violence survivors say they face abuse in the courts, even long after they’ve severed ties with their partner. A new Washington law, which took effect Jan. 1, seeks to stop what’s known as “abusive litigation.” Catherine West is an attorney with the advocacy group Legal Voice. She said a survivor of domestic violence can be continually dragged into court by an ex-partner, ostensibly to challenge a protection order or child custody agreement. But, West said, the real purpose is often just to get the survivor in the courtroom. “They have to confront their former partner. It’s really a way of continuing to exert control.”

New law targets abusive litigation by domestic violence perpetrators. -National Public Radio