Help desk for domestic violence victims launches Monday

URBANA – Victims of domestic violence who would like to get help pursuing an emergency order of protection can receive personal assistance and information at the Champaign County Courthouse beginning Monday.

Law students from the Domestic Violence Clinic, a collaboration between Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance (a nonprofit legal service organization) and the University of Illinois College of Law, will be manning a help desk at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana four days a week.

Karla Fischer, adjunct professor of law at the UI, said the help desk is an effort to help people formerly served by A Woman's Fund, which recently discontinued its legal-advocacy services while it waits for funding from the state.

"Many victims of domestic violence need help filling out their forms," Fischer said. "A Woman's Fund has provided this service for many years. We hope this is a short-term thing until the state can make its payments to A Woman's Fund."

Fischer said the help desk will be open from Monday through Nov. 25 at the following times:

– Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

– Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

– Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

– Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Fischer said she believes the help desk will also allow UI law students an opportunity to gain experience working with victims of domestic violence, enhancing their education.

"We can provide information and technical assistance only," Fischer said. "We cannot provide legal advice or legal representation."

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