Domestic Violence Victims To Get Legal Aid Via New Partnership

WHEATON, IL — Victims of domestic violence in Dupage County will have access to more legal resources due to a new partnership between the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office and DuPage Legal Aid. The initiative, announced Wednesday, aims to provide legal guidance that will help domestic violence victims with long-term issues related to child custody, education and other matters.

On Wednesday, DuPage Legal Aid Executive Director and attorney Cecilia Najera and attorney Ann Russell were sworn is a Special Assistant State's Attorneys to work with the Victim Services and Child Support Units at DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

“My office remains committed to utilizing any and all resources at our disposal to assist victims of domestic violence who are struggling to raise their children without any support, monetarily or otherwise, from an absent parent,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, "With this new partnership and the nearly thirty years of cumulative expertise offered by Cecilia and Ann, we are now extremely well-positioned to further assist those in need in addressing custody, health, education and other long-term issues involving their children."

Since 2010, more than a dozen criminal protective order cases have been filed with DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, the news release said.

“DuPage Legal Aid is excited to expand the services that we already provide in Civil Order of Protection cases to individuals seeking Criminal Protective Orders,” Najera said. “We are looking forward to serving and helping domestic violence survivors by working side by side with State’s Attorney Berlin and his staff. We hope to help individuals move forward and navigate legal issues that impact their families so greatly.”

Domestic violence victims in DuPage County can call 630-407-8010 or email SAOVictimServicesUnit@dupageco.org for more information and to access services.

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