Court Advocacy
Last year, Doorways provided court advocacy services to 724 adults and children in Arlington County.
The Domestic Violence Program includes a Court Advocacy and Companionship Program, with an office at the Arlington County Courthouse, providing two bilingual (Spanish-English) Court Advocates to assist survivors of domestic violence and their families. The program offers education about the legal system, companionship during the petition and court hearing processes and extensive safety planning for anyone impacted by family violence. Accessible to the public, and serving men, women and children, the Court Advocacy program has been able to reach additional underserved populations in Arlington, particularly those who previously have not called the hotline or participated in the Safehouse Program.
Court Advocates Provide:
- Companionship and advocacy;
- Bilingual support (English/Spanish);
- Assistance in filing for protection orders;
- Accompaniment to civil court hearings and assistance throughout the court process;
- Explanations regarding the court process and judgments;
- Referrals to attorneys, victim assistance providers, and crisis intervention programs;
- Assistance in safety planning;
- Emergency 911 cell phones; and
- Assistance in filing for other civil petitions, such as custody and child support.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding protection orders or accessing other court services, please contact our Court Advocacy Program Coordinator, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 703-244-5165.
