EVOLVE. Program (Ending Violence in Our Lives through Validation & Empowerment).

EVOLVE is a 12 week course, meeting every Monday and is for women only. Dinner, transportation and childcare is provided for women attending this program.

Purpose of the EVOLVE Program is to help women:

1. Recognize signs of abuse Identify and confront the root causes of domestic violence (their own, as well as their partner's)

2. Learn effective ways to deal with anger and fear without violence

3. Learn alternative ways to protect themselves and their children from abuse

4. Understand the link between substance abuse and violence

5. Learn ways to deal with feelings

6. Develop plans of action to keep themselves safe and sober

Increasingly across the state, victims of domestic violence are being arrested for crimes resulting from the violence in their lives. Since many victims of domestic violence are the primary caretakers of their children, the loss of public benefits, housing or immigration status can be devastating to the entire family unit.

It is important for attorneys and advocates to know the legal and economic consequences of an arrest and conviction for victims of domestic violence:

Employment options: the jobs barred by convictions are traditionally "women's work" such as childcare, teaching and healthcare.

Public benefits: a conviction could affect eligibility and in some cases create a lifetime ban.

Public Housing: conviction of certain crimes could affect eligibility.

Custody determinations: if a woman is convicted of a crime either as a result of a trial or a plea, this will almost certainly be held against her.

Immigration status: may prompt deportation.

Voting rights and other civil rights: may lose the right to vote, serve on a jury or hold public office.