The Domestic Violence Crisis Center’s legal director, Pamela Davis, has been appointed to the Fairfield County Bar Association (FCBA) Board of Directors.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) is the only agency present at domestic violence arraignments in the Stamford and Norwalk courthouses representing the victim with confidential legal advocacy.
— an announcement from the Domestic Violence Crisis Center
Part of the 25-member board’s mission is to encourage cordial relations among members of the Bar as well as cooperation with state and national agencies and organizations, which fits well with Ms. Davis’ full-time position as agency’s director of legal services.
“This new association with DVCC and FCBA will benefit both organizations,” Davis said. “Many of the 850 lawyers, court clerks, law students, legal administrators, paralegals, and other professionals in the bar association are on the front lines when it comes to domestic violence.”
Domestic Violence is the Number One emergency call to law enforcement in the towns of New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Weston and Wilton.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that domestic violence is the No.1 health issue facing women and children in the U.S., and the leading cause of injury to women between ages 15 to 44. More than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.
“With multiple fatalities in southern Fairfield County in past six months alone, there is no better time than now to raise awareness of the services available to people experiencing domestic violence,” Davis said.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center provides services for the seven communities of Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport and Weston.
In her position with DVCC, Davis supervises and directs attorney advocates and family violence advocates within the Legal Department.
She appears in civil and criminal court, collaborates with town law enforcement special victims’ unit liaisons, judges, and family relation counselors in civil and criminal court.
“DVCC provides direct services (legal, safe housing, counseling and sustainability) to nearly 4,000 individuals a year, and with the help and cooperation of organizations such as the FCBA, we can expand not only our client services, but help in building awareness of the signs and symptoms of domestic violence in the community,” Davis said.
Davis also supervises pro-bono attorney volunteers, and represents victims at hearings for civil restraining orders, dissolution, child support and custody.
The DVCC’s other services include providing safe housing, individual and group counseling services, sustainability (financial empowerment, credit repair, housing and job advocacy), and preventive education in area schools, youth and faith-based organizations and the workplace.
About the Domestic Violence Crisis Center
DVCC offers confidential services at no charge including court/legal assistance, counseling, temporary shelter, housing and children’s services, medical advocacy, professional trainings, multilingual services, preventive education and 24-hour bi-lingual hotlines.
English language hotline: 203-588-9096
Spanish language hotline: 203-663-6641
The agency is a member of the CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence. DVCC is committed to providing services, support and education for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence in Connecticut and beyond.
For more information, visit the website or call 203-588-9100.