In Connecticut, 1/3 of all criminal court cases involve domestic violence. Everyday dozens of victims seeking help can’t get it and are turned away from critical services, including shelters. Earlier this month a report claimed that Connecticut shelters were at 150 percent capacity. Some agencies were trying to get hotel rooms because of a lack of space. Whether you call it family violence, domestic violence or intimate partner violence it is a serious health crisis in Connecticut.

Jennifer Lopez is the Interval House Director of Court Advocacy Programs in Hartford. Jennifer has worked for 30 years on behalf of domestic violence victims in the court system both in criminal and civil proceedings. She says COVID created a backlog in the court system, and they are still catching up with all the cases. She says every case in court is different but the most important part of leaving an abusive relationship is having a safety plan.

Jane Doe is a domestic violence survivor and is going through both criminal and civil court proceedings and says CT Paid Leave is invaluable. She says there are many court dates, and it makes it hard to take time away from work to attend them.

The Family Violence provisions that CT Paid Leave offers to eligible workers in Connecticut includes 12 days of income replacement along with the Family Violence Leave Act that offers 12 days of job protection for these reasons:

1.    To seek medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability for the victim (survivor)

2.    To obtain services from a victim services organization on behalf of the victim(survivor)

3.    To move or relocate due to such family violence

4.    To participate in any civil or criminal court proceeding related to or resulting from such family violence.

If you or someone you know is the victim of family, domestic or intimate partner violence the statewide 24-hour toll free # in English call 888-774-2900 for Spanish call 844-831-9200.

If you are in danger, please call 9-1-1.

For more information about interval house:  intervalhousect.org or call (860) 246-9149.

For information or to apply for benefits go to CT Paid Leave.org

https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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