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Southeast Louisiana Legal Services 2017 Annual Report

Guiding Survivors of Domestic Violence through the Court System

Vivian was subjected to continual verbal and physical
abuse throughout her marriage. She had to call the
police multiple times to intervene in attacks by her
violent husband. When she was pregnant with her
third child, her husband wrestled her to the ground, hit
her in the head, and choked her until she passed out.
When she came to, she managed to escape with her
two children. Even after she got away, the abuse did
not stop. Her now estranged husband found out
where she was hiding. He climbed over an eight-foot
gate and broke in.

By then nine months pregnant, Vivian decided she had to take legal action to protect herself and her
children. She sought legal help from SLLS. We helped her obtain an 18-month protective order. We also
filed for divorce and custody. Vivian was awarded sole custody of all three children due to the history of
domestic violence. Supervised visitation was ordered for her now ex-husband. Child support was also
ordered to help her support her family. The civil legal help provided to Vivian made a huge difference in her
life. After court, she sent an email to her attorney with the subject line “A thousand thank you’s!” She went
on to say “… I am grateful every day for the peace we finally have. To have sole custody of my children is
everything and it would not have been possible without you. After several years, we are finally now
beginning to slowly heal.”

Helping Veterans Obtain Benefits

Mr. R, a 64-year-old veteran, suffered the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for decades after
completing his Marine Corps military service in the Vietnam War. He became alienated from his family due
to the long-term effects of his illness. After developing
cancer, he could no longer work and wound up
homeless on the streets of New Orleans. He sought
SLLS’s help to appeal with a claim for veteran benefits.

Getting approval for a VA service connected claim can
often take years. SLLS helped Mr. R get stabilized into a
housing program. He got a new phone number during
this transition. Shortly after starting his case, Mr. R came
into SLLS in a panic. His food stamps were being cut off
because he allegedly missed a telephone recertification
appointment. He had tried to resolve this on his own online and over the phone to no avail. SLLS was able
to help Mr. R quickly resolve the problem with the State administering agency and his food stamps were
reinstated for two years. No longer facing going hungry, Mr. R. thanked his SLLS attorney with tears in his
eyes. We were delighted to share the news with Mr. R few months later that we won his veteran benefits
claim. Now Mr. R has a stable future, permanent housing, and access to healthcare. We were proud to fight
for him as he once fought for us.

2017 Annual Report