Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Legal Resources

You may find yourself navigating criminal, civil, or probate issues in legal systems that seem complex and intimidating.

Working alongside a trained sexual or domestic violence advocate or lawyer can alleviate the stress of this process, help you understand your rights and access services. The information provided below serves to help you understand your options and resources as a survivor. In addition to the resources listed below, please check with the General Community Based Domestic Violence Service ProviderRape Crisis Center or Domestic Violence Program in your area to see if they offer legal assistance, as this varies based on the organization.

General Information on Navigating the Legal System as a Survivor

MOVA SAFEPLAN

MOVA also provides safety assistance for every person currently leaving abuse. SAFEPLAN is MOVA’s statewide court-based program that provides specially trained advocates to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are seeking protection from abuse. SAFEPLAN currently serves 53 district and probate courts throughout the state. SAFEPLAN Advocates are employed by 15 local community-based agencies that can be found here.

Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC)

The VRLC provides free, comprehensive legal services for sexual assault survivors with civil legal issues in Massachusetts in the areas of safety, privacy, housing, employment, education, immigration, financial stability and criminal justice advocacy. Through free legal services, VRLC’s staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys help ensure that survivors may stay in school; protect their privileged and confidential mental health, medical, and education records; preserve their employment; maintain safe housing; secure their immigration status; and swiftly access survivor compensation and other benefits. For more information on services and additional contacts in Western, Southeastern/Cape and Islands, and Central MA, visit their website: The Victim Rights Law Center – Victim Rights Law Center

Statewide/Boston

• Phone: [phone]
  Toll Free: [phone]
  Legal assistance intake line: x19
  Línea de dmission en español: x35
• Fax: [phone]
• 11 Beacon Street, Suite 520, Boston, MA 02108

MassLegalHelp
 

MassLegalHelp has helpful legal information for survivors of domestic violence such as information on restraining orders, harassment prevention orders, keeping your address and information safe, child support, custody, criminal complaints, and more.

Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder 
 

A product of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder’s mission is to help Massachusetts residents find legal help and information. The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder prompts site visitors to answer a few questions to determine the appropriate referral and will then give contact information for legal aid offices, government agencies and court programs that may be able to help you for free or at low cost. 

To use the Legal Resource Finder, click here.

Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC)
 

CLAVC offers a wide variety of legal aid programs pro-bono or at a reduced cost. To get help from a CLAVC lawyer you must be a victim or a survivor of a crime, have a civil (non-criminal) legal problem that is a result of that crime, and live in MA or the legal problem must be in MA. Services include housing, public benefits, family law, immigration, consumer law, health law, disability law, education, employment issues, elder law, veteran’s rights, and more. If you are interested in their programs, please click on the blue “CLAVC” link above to be redirected to their website with additional information and locations.

Massachusetts Legal Aid Programs
 

Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) does not provide legal advice or representation. If you need help with any legal issues in Massachusetts, there are several ways to find it. Please click on the blue “MLAC” link above to be redirected to their website for additional information and contacts.

Massachusetts legal aid programs offer a variety of free civil legal help to low-income Massachusetts residents. Areas of practice include domestic violence, family law, housing, consumer law, income and benefits, unemployment, health law, and immigration.

The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation publishes a list of legal aid programs by region which may be found here.

Lawyer Referral
 

This site provides resources and tips to find lawyers. There are links to free legal help and links to lawyers who will charge legal fees. You can search for lawyers near where you live or work.

To view a list of attorneys who specialize in SADV and immigration, please click here.

Victim Compensation

If you, a family member, or a loved one has been a victim of a violent crime, you can fill out an application with the Victim Compensation Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

The Division provides financial assistance to eligible victims of violent crime for uninsured medical and dental care, mental health counseling, funeral and burial costs, and income lost due to the inability to work. To apply for victim’s compensation, the crime must have been reported to police within five days unless there is good cause for delay. You must cooperate with law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of the crime unless there is a reasonable excuse not to cooperate.

You must apply for compensation within three years of the crime. Victims under the age of 18 at the time of the crime may apply until age 21, or later in certain limited circumstances.

Office of the Attorney General
Victim Compensation & Assistance Division
One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108
Duty Phone: [phone]
TTY: 617-727-4765

Criminal Offender Record Information – Victim Notifications

Survivors are entitled to certain notifications regarding the status of a defendant while incarcerated. This notification allows survivors to be informed when a defendant is released on bail, if an inmate’s classification within the prison is changed, if an inmate is paroled or completes their sentence, or if an inmate escapes. The offender will NOT be notified if you apply to receive notifications on their status. Adults must apply for the criminal offender record information notification through the Department of Corrections to be notified.

Juveniles must complete a Juvenile Offender Notification & Information Application Form in order to be notified by the Department of Youth Services Victim Services Unit.

Register for information about an offender  Juvenile Offender Notification and Information Application Form 

Sex Offenders Registry Board (SORB) Victim Services

In cases of sexual assault, defendants who are convicted are required by Massachusetts state law to register with SORB and to be classified by the Board. The Victim Services Unit is committed to providing compassion and sensitivity to survivors in response to the long-term effects they experience as a result of sexual violence. In addition to providing survivors with information and notification, SORB allows for any victim or parent/guardian to submit a victim impact statement.

SORB Victim Services 

Probation Service Victim Services Unit (VSU)

The VSU is made up of Victim Service Coordinators (VSCs) who are assigned regionally to courts across the state. The VSCs can:

• Explain the probation process
• Let you know about probation-related events
• Accompany you to court
• Help with restitution
• Help with safety planning and crisis intervention
• Refer you to local resources
• Help with certifications for release notifications and access to CORI documents

Probation Service Victim Services Unit 

District Attorney's Offices

District Attorney’s Offices have experienced victim/witness advocates  that can assist all victims of sexual and domestic violence with support and encouragement throughout the legal process. If you have general legal questions, you can contact the appropriate District Attorney Office for your area. 

It is important to note, you should not report a crime through this contact. If you would like to report a crime, you should reach out to local law enforcement.  

To find your District Attorney’s Office, use this interactive map, which includes the address and contact information for each center.