NHLA advocates represent victims and survivors of domestic abuse in many ways including:
• Representation at final restraining order hearings
• Representation at final stalking petition hearings
• Representation at divorce hearings
• Representation at parenting (custody) hearings.
NHLA represents victim/survivors who are unable to obtain private legal counsel with their own resources. If you need help with a final hearing in a restraining order or stalking petition, please call 1-800-517-0577 or (603) 598-3800 to find out if you qualify for our services.
For divorce and parenting issues, please contact your local domestic violence crisis center for a referral. You can find a list of
Read our Success Stories
Domestic Violence Advocacy Project (DVAP)
The Domestic Violence Advocacy Project represents victims in emergency protective order hearings and in divorce and parenting (custody) cases. The issues typically addressed in these cases are the following: restraining orders and emergency relief, parental rights and responsibilities (child custody and visitation), paternity, child support, alimony and property division. We have two attorneys providing extended representation in family law cases and many more attorneys throughout the state committed to representing victims in protective order hearings on an emergency basis. The need for legal representation for victims of domestic violence in New Hampshire, however, remains a great and unmet need.
Success Stories
Domestic Violence Advocacy in action: NHLA helps a domestic violence victim obtain a restraining order against her abuser.
Our client had been married to her husband for about seven years. They had been separated but were trying to reconcile. However, they got into an argument and her husband became extremely angry, calling her names and spitting at her. She tried to get away. He threw a cup of beer at her. She ran to the kitchen to grab her purse and car keys, but he grabbed her and threw her on the couch. He threatened to kill her. Terrified, she escaped from his grasp and ran to her sister's house. She left the area for the weekend, and he trashed the house while she was gone. When she returned there were several messages on her answering machine from her husband. He called her a lot of names and he told her he was going to "shred" her, adding that she was "so done." The next day he called the client's sister and told her that she was "doomed." The client finally called the police, and after they saw the bruises on both of her arms and took tapes of the phone messages, they arrested her husband.
With the representation of NHLA she also sought a restraining order against her abuser. With NHLA's help, she overcame her fear of court hearings and her sense of hopelessness. During NHLA's cross-examination of the husband, he admitted that he had grabbed our client and that he had told her he was going to "shred" her. He also admitted that he had violated the temporary restraining order at least four times. The Court granted Naomi a permanent restraining order, protecting the client from further abuse.
Funders:
Campaign for Legal Services
IOLTA program of New Hampshire Bar Foundation
NH Department of Justice
United Way
US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women
Women's Fund of New Hampshire
Pamphlets 
Domestic Violence - English
English language brochure Domestic Violence - Spanish
Spanish language brochure
