For Domestic Violence Survivors, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Provides Needed Support

The St. Cloud and Willmar offices of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (Legal Aid) are at the forefront of civil litigation for domestic abuse victims as part of the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership. Established in 2008, the Partnership employs wrap around services to address domestic violence in the area with eleven community partners who meet regularly and work in tandem, including the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, Anna Marie’s Alliance, and local law enforcement agencies. Legal Aid helps with child custody, orders for protection, restraining orders, evictions, medical insurance, immigration matters, and more.

Domestic violence victims usually contact Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid after their partner’s criminal case goes through court, when they “have a chance to breathe again,” says Sarah McGuire, legal director of the Legal Aid’s St. Cloud and Willmar offices.

While the scope of the problem is daunting, and domestic violence cases have not decreased, advocates attest to the Partnership’s vital support of victims and attribute a reduction in homicides to it. In 2008, when the project began,10 of the county’s 11 homicides stemmed from domestic violence. Data analyzed from that point on found that many new domestic violence felony charges were occurring while previous criminal charges were still pending.

With a focus on education and accountability, everyone involved in the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership undergoes training, including attorneys, court staff, community advocates and law enforcement. “I cannot tell you that we have fixed domestic violence, but I can tell you that every one of those people in the [criminal justice] system now has some insight into what’s going on,” said Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall. Read more in Minnesota Women’s Press.