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Educate. Empower. Advocate. Working with Domestic Violence Survivors (By Mary Elizabeth Davis)

I have spent most of my legal career working with battered women.  I find great joy in watching them evolve from Domestic Violence Victims to Domestic Violence Survivors.  The lessons I have learned from my clients about strength and grace continue to shape me both professionally and personally.

My approach to clients has greatly been shaped by the strategies of the Battered Women's Movement.  I have a three-part philosophy for  client service:  Education, Empowerment, and Advocacy.  I work with my clients to achieve results, rather than doing work for them.

Education is important.  So many attorneys will tell clients what to do, without informing them of all the parameters or giving them options.  That type of attorney does not help clients make an informed choice, rather the attorney makes the choice for the client after receiving information from the client.   I provide my client with all the available options and lay out the pros and cons of each possible action.  Together with my client, I then develop a strategy.  We make the decisions together from the appropriate choices available.  Clients have the right to be educated consumers, and they have the right to understand each step of the process.

Similarly, I act to empower my clients.  So many times an abuser has taken away my client's choices.  By working with her, rather than just for her, I am giving her back her power.  Of course, I won't participate in a wrong or unethical choice.  By making the client aware of her choices, and helping her to choose what her goals are, she learns that her input is valuable and trusted.

I advocate for my clients.   I find the cases and the statutes which support their position.  I help them to tell their story.   I am their cheerleader to encourage them to grow and find closure during the difficult transition of divorce.

A consultation with a survivor earlier this week has me thinking of my philosophy.  She wants to completely walk away from the financial bounty she and her abuser have acquired together, in order to find safety and freedom.  I provided her with objective counsel about what the law would likely provide for her.  I told her that the choices are hers, but that she should strongly consider whether walking away from these resources is in her best interest.  I told her that often abusers continue to use the court system after divorce in order to maintain power and control, and that she would be leaving him the financial wherewithal to keep her in court if she did not pursue spousal support or a fair share of the assets.  When she makes up her mind about which goals she wishes to pursue, and which ones she finds less important, I will help her to reach those goals.  It's her family.  It's her life.  As long as she is making an informed decision about what she wishes to do, she gets to set her goals and the path for her future.