Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project (DV LEAP)

Our Story

Since our founding in 2003, DV LEAP has represented victims and interested non-profits in state court appeals; consulted with thousands of survivors; advocated for the domestic violence community in the Supreme Court; trained and spoken to hundreds of attorneys, judges, psychologists and others; and provided community education on the dynamics of family violence.

DV LEAP litigates carefully selected cases nationwide on cutting edge issues in the domestic violence field, including the confrontation rights of batterers, enforcement of protection orders, child custody and abuse, "parental alienation," and malicious prosecution claims wrongfully brought against protective mothers. DV LEAP consults with survivors of abuse, mothers fighting to keep their children safe through the courts, and their advocates.

DV LEAP conducts trainings on domestic violence, confrontation rights of batterers, custody, domestic violence, vicarious trauma, "parental alienation," and other topics. We are currently the recipient of a Dept of Justice Office on Violence Against Women "cooperative agreement" which funds us to train judges, evaluators, lawyers, and advocates around the country. If you are interested in a DV LEAP training, please email us at [email protected].

An organization dedicated to real and lasting change in legal and social responses to domestic violence. For help on an appeal, go to https://www.dvleap.org/application.

 ...