The Consumer Rights for Domestic Violence Survivors Initiative (CRDVSI) is pleased to announce a new resource, the Domestic Violence Screening Tool for Consumer Lawyers.  To effectively advocate for remedies that balance economic and physical safety considerations, consumer lawyers must identify whether their client is a survivor of domestic violence, acquire an understanding of the risks and needs arising out of their client’s experience, and consider how the context of domestic abuse impacts their legal strategizing.  This tool is intended to assist consumer lawyers in determining who, among their clients, is a survivor of domestic violence, so that they may enhance their legal representation and advocacy. The tool offers information on:  the importance of screening for domestic violence; the nature of domestic violence; interviewing technique; sample screening questions; safety planning considerations; and accessing resources for domestic violence survivors.

You can access the tool in the CSAJ resource library , under the Economic Justice category. (If you do not know your log-in information, click here .)

Funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, US Department of Justice, CRDVSI is a partnership of the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice, the National Consumer Law Center, and the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

This tool was developed in consultation with domestic violence and consumer law attorneys and advocates working in legal services and domestic violence programs throughout the nation.  We are very thankful for their contributions.

We encourage you to utilize the tool in your own work and share it with your colleagues, both within and outside of your organization.   And, of course, we welcome your feedback .

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