American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence Content Topic Results

The charts summarize basic laws in each state by topic, including custody, alimony and grounds for divorce.

This chart includes information on whether a state’s laws create a preference, or presumption, for joint or shared custody in cases where there has been a history of domestic violence.

This chart contains information on CPO laws for each state, including: definition of domestic violence; who qualifies for an order; definition of abuser; whether a CPO can be obtained against a teen or adult dating partner; whether a CPO can be obtained against a same sex partner; whether child custody, child/spousal support, stay away provisions, or restitution can be obtained; and whether there is a “catch-all” provision.

This directory includes a comprehensive guide to volunteer opportunities in different states. At the top of the above-listed webpage, attorneys can find a link to the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Guide. Attorneys can then select the state in which they wish to offer their pro bono services.

This chart summarizes laws around when communication is protected (i.e., is privileged or confidential) between domestic or sexual violence victims and advocates, and defines various advocate roles and types of communication.

These guidelines are intended to reflect the best national practices that may be used by civil lawyers who provide no-cost assistance to pro se victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in civil protection order cases.

This guide is for attorneys working in a range of settings, including those representing employees and employers in the public and private sectors, those representing unions, and those representing victims of domestic violence.

This document provides a list of statutes by state on the use of interpreters in civil proceedings.

This paper discusses officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV), examining why it seems particularly resistant to reduction and recommending ways in which policies can more effectively target it.

This document provides information on each state's confidentiality laws for domestic violence and sexual violence advocates.

This is a recorded 5-part webinar series on Abuse in Later Life. The target audience includes civil attorneys, legal advocates and others who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the topics.