The new Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic is a partnership between the UF College of Law Center on Children and Families and Virgil D. Hawkins Civil Legal Clinics, UF’s College of Medicine, Shands HealthCare, and Gainesville’s nonprofit Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network. The innovative clinic will be staffed by UF law and medical students who have been trained and certified to work with survivors of domestic-violence and by social and mental health workers from Shands at the University of Florida and Peaceful Paths. The clinic, set to open in May, will be located in the obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics clinic at Shands at UF in Gainesville. The location was chosen due to the number of abuse victims treated in the clinics.

“Currently, those experiencing domestic violence may have to set up several appointments to seek help through numerous providers, which can be very difficult for these victims,” said Teresa Drake, director of the clinic, a nationally recognized educator on domestic violence and a former assistant state attorney with the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Florida, where she served as division chief for the domestic violence unit. “The staff at the clinic will conduct comprehensive needs assessments to determine what services are required and guide them through each process. The services provided by the clinic will include medical treatment, mental health and housing counseling, and legal consultations regarding protective injunctions, child support and court proceedings.”

According to a 2007 Uniform Crime Report, more than 2,300 incidents of domestic violence occurred in the clinic’s service area, which includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties. Existing legal service providers were able to respond to only 951 requests for legal assistance in 2007, leaving as many as 1,349 documented domestic violence victims with unmet legal needs.

“These problems are not unique to the Eighth Circuit, or to Florida,” said Theresa Harrison, executive director of Peaceful Paths. “All around the country, domestic violence survivors fail to receive the needed services, often because the process of contacting the separate providers, attending appointments and following up is just too overwhelming. We hope the clinic will serve as a model for service delivery in other jurisdictions where survivors’ needs are unmet.”

To meet the objectives of the grant, the clinical collaboration will develop protocols and cross-training procedures for clinic staff, develop and implement domestic violence curriculum and training throughout courses within the law and medical schools, and conduct community outreach by providing information about the clinic in targeted locations throughout the service area.

Those impacted by domestic violence in the six-county service area should call 1-800-393-SAFE (7233).

Their project had two major components. The first was a table set up in the courtyard where men could make their pledges and all students were invited to hand-paint t-shirts representing victims of domestic violence. The second was an April 9 presentation by Teresa Drake, assistant state attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit, and Lynn Cooke, an attorney for Three Rivers Legal Services and president of Alachua County’s task force against domestic violence.

“There’s only one cause of domestic violence, and that’s the batterer,” Drake stated, lamenting the way in which victims are often blamed not only by their batterers but also by society for their abuse. She explained that often during a trial for domestic abuse, jurors will think, ‘well, if it’s so bad, then why didn’t she just leave?’

When she subpoenas a victim of domestic violence, Drake said that she is certain to tell her, “I am so sorry that this happened to you. You don’t deserve it.”

“I can tell that it’s often the first time that she’s heard that,” Drake said, adding that a victim’s reasons for staying are highly complex, both psychologically and logistically.

For many women, their batterers are their only sources of financial support and they fear leaving the home that they have known behind, taking only their children and whichever belongings they are able to hastily pack into an overnight bag. For these women, they know that “the batterer may destroy everything they left behind – their pets, their personal belongings, everything,” Drake said.

According to Drake, 70 percent of women who are killed by their batterers are killed while trying to leave. She also described an ongoing tension with the Department of Children and Families who sometimes accuse a woman in an abusive relationship of failing to protect her children, countering that perhaps, “in staying in that relationship, is she keeping them alive?”

Cooke discussed how civil remedies such as injunctions against an abuser may also help keep a victim safe. The benefit of having an injunction is what Cooke referred to as a “collateral benefit” that is not dependent on the outcome of a criminal case. If an abuser violates an injunction, the victim may seek relief within the criminal or civil system, depending on the circumstances, Cooke said.

Another primary reason for women staying in abusive relationships, Drake explained, is the cycle of violence. Drake described women in abusive relationships as having fallen in love with their abusers before the abuse began.

“When you fall in love, the person has no flaws. They’re perfect. And you’re trying your best to be perfect.”

Then, there’s an act of violence followed by extreme remorse on the part of the abuser along with shifting blame from himself onto perhaps drugs or alcohol or, in some cases, onto the victim. Drake notes, however, that domestic violence is never caused by drugs or alcohol, but always by “power and control.”

While her abuser is in the remorse period, the victim again sees the man she fell in love with, what Drake calls “the flowers and hearts guy,” and says that it is not until the victim recognizes that the “flowers and hearts” guy is not the real person, but rather that the batterer is, that the cycle stops.

The inspiration for the project, Kelley and Wick said, was the recognition of a “need for men to take a stand and realize that [domestic violence] is a male issue as well.” Both students agreed that from this project, they have been impressed with the response from men who stopped at the table to learn more about domestic violence and to pledge to never become an abuser.

Got a hidden musical talent? Show it off at the upcoming Music Night 2009, to be held Sunday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at the home of Dean Bob Jerry and his wife Lisa. All students and faculty are invited — but the “ticket” to attend is that you must bring a dessert and agree to perform a musical piece (play an instrument or sing a song). A piano will be available. Each participant can bring one guest. Space is limited, so sign up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, stop by the Dean’s Office and see Doris Perron.

Jessup Moot Court Team placed ninth in Southeast Super Regionals

UF’s Jessup Moot Court Team placed ninth overall out of twenty two teams competing in the Southeast Super Regionals. The participants were Rachel Malkowski (2L), Wayne Atkinson (2L), Michael Stewart (2L), Jason Zimmerman (2L) and Jeff Dambly (2L). Participants are evaluated by their oral skills as well as their written memorials. Rachel Malkowski was awarded first place oralist out of approximately 88 participants. Michael Stewart placed 19th out of all individual oralists. The case involved a dispute between two countries argued before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The main issues concerning the dispute included state sovereignty, extradition, sexual exploitation, and the jurisdiction of the ICJ. The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world’s largest moot court competition, with participants from over 500 law schools in more than 80 countries. The team received support and coaching from its faculty advisor Professor Jon Mills, team President Patricia Camino (3L), and team Vice-President Han Huang (3L). Special thanks to the coaches Eric Burger (3L), Morgan Weinstein (3L), Dmitri Goubarkov (3L) and Kate Haddock (3L). In addition, we thank professors Tim McClendon, Henry Wihnyk, Mary Adkins, Michelle Jacobs, and Joseph Little for their time and support. For more information e-mail Patricia Camino at pcamino@ufl.edu.

Students receive book awards for academic excellence

Students, faculty and friends of the law school gathered in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom Feb. 27 to honor book award recipients for the spring semester. Presented every semester, book awards recognize the top performers in each class, and give alumni a chance to support academic excellence at the UF Levin College of Law. More than 100 students were honored for their performance in classes in the spring. Multiple award winners included Joshua S. Altshuler, Crystal Espinosa, Kevin Hall, Jennifer Hartzler, Heather J. Howdeshell, Kathryn Ward Hurd, David Karp, Allison Riggs, Brandon Sherlinski, Emily A. Snider and Nickisha Webb. If you have received a book award, but weren’t able to attend the ceremony, you can pick up your plaque in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at 267 Holland Hall. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
• See full list of winners

L.A.W. hosts meet and mingle with faculty and staff

The Law Association for Women hosted a Faculty Meet-and-Mingle on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the law school, to kick-off its Women’s History Month events. Students mingled with female law school faculty and staff, while partaking in bagels, pastries and juice. Participants discussed law school courses, possible career paths, and current events.

Help survivors of domestic violence in our community

Help survivors of domestic violence in our community by donating to the Family Law Society’s food and supply drive. All donations benefit Peaceful Paths, a domestic abuse network that serves survivors of domestic violence in Alachua, Bradford and Union counties. Each year, Peaceful Paths provides safety, support, and the empowerment necessary for hundreds of families to move to self-sufficiency in our community. Peaceful Paths is in great need of necessary tangible items, especially food items, in order to continue the help they provide to these families. Donation boxes are available in the library and student affairs office lobbies from Monday, Feb. 23 through Friday, March 6.

Time is running out to apply for financial aid

For those of you who have not already done so, now is the time to apply for aid for the 2009-2010 academic year. I encourage you to apply by April 1 using FAFSA on the Web. Just go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the instructions on the site. After applying via FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA on the Web, you can check the status of your application and/or make corrections online. You will need to use your Federal Access Code (PIN) to complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA.

Levin College of Law Faculty and Student Art Show

Calling all student and faculty artists. We are now accepting artwork in any medium (ie. sculpture, painting, photography) for the fourth annual Levin College of Law Faculty and Student Art Show. Artwork will be displayed in the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center. Please email digital image submissions with a brief description to Eric Berger at ecburger@gmail.com by Monday, March 16. Students and faculty will be notified if they are selected by late March. If you have any questions please e-mail Eric Berger or Alexis Cooper at lex314@gmail.com.

Financial aid for Florida Bar prep and exam

Are you making plans to take the Bar and wondering where you will come up with the financing necessary for these out-of-pocket expenses? There are private loan companies who will make Bar exam loans to students who are in their final year of law school. These loans can be used for a student’s living expenses while studying for the Bar, Bar prep classes and other Bar related expenses.

Sallie Mae
1-800-984-0190
www.salliemae.com

Wells Fargo
(To apply, student would need to have some type of account/loan with Wells Fargo)
1-800-378-5526
www.wellsfargo.com/student/

For more information contact Financial Aid Coordinator Carol Huber at 352-273-0620.

Spring Break Library Hours

Friday, March 6: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday- Sunday, March 7-8: CLOSED
Monday- Friday, March 9-13: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14: CLOSED
Sunday, March 15: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. (regular hours resume)

Assistant State Attorney Teresa Drake spoke in Bailey Courtroom about domestic violence on Oct. 31.

Assistant State Attorney Teresa Drake refers to her job as “homicide prevention.” Drake, county court division chief for the Eighth circuit, spoke at the Levin College of Law on Oct. 31 about her experiences prosecuting domestic violence cases, stressing the importance of attorneys handling such cases with both delicate care and fierce advocacy.

“Control issues in a relationship are the hallmark of a batterer,” Drake explained.

The mechanisms that abusers use to control their victims, according to Drake, are varied and include social isolation, monetary restriction, verbal attacks, physical attacks, and threats. Many abusers also use children to communicate threats, send messages, and manipulate their victims.

According to Drake, 73 percent of all emergency room visits and 70 percent of all calls to law enforcement occur when victims are attempting to leave their abusers. Additionally, most domestic violence abuse victims who die at the hands of their abusers die after they have left the relationship — the abuser’s answer to losing control over the victim.

In order to help protect victims once abuse has been reported, Drake works closely with Peaceful Paths, a Gainesville-based domestic abuse help network, and Three Rivers Legal Services, which helps provide legal assistance to underprivileged clients. Drake praised the Gainesville area for having such strong programs to aid domestic abuse victims.

Help being available, however, does not necessarily mean that victims will seek it.

Drake addressed several of the complex reasons why victims are often unwilling to come forward. One reason is that many victims do not even realize that they are victims, because the image of a woman with a black eye or a broken nose has been burned into society’s collective consciousness as what a domestic abuse victim must look like.Instead, Drake explained, most victims will have either less-visible injuries or no injuries, and victims will often not identify an occasional shove or push as abusive. Similarly, many victims of emotional abuse do not identify themselves as victims since they also lack the physical traits of abuse.

Just as not all abuse victims will have bruises, Drake noted that not all abusers seem abusive and are often highly charming masters of manipulation. She also addressed the issue of providing legal representation to a batterer. While many shudder at the thought, Drake pointed out that batterers also need an attorney who will have the best interests of any children in mind and will direct the abuser to appropriate outlets to work toward stopping the abusive behavior.

In determining if a potential client is in fact a potential batterer, Drake identifies three warning signs: minimizing, denying, and blaming. She added that the batterer will often make unsubstantiated accusations against the victim, deflecting fault from themselves.

By assisting victims of domestic abuse in escaping from an abusive relationship, and by prosecuting perpetrators of domestic violence, Drake hopes to break the cycle of abuse in relationships that otherwise could have ended in tragedy.

For more information about types of domestic violence and help available to victims in the Gainesville area, visit www.peacefulpaths.org.