The idea for Lawyers against Abuse (LvA) began long before the organisation opened its doors.
In 2000, while in training as a lawyer at a commercial law firm, LvA’s founder, Bonita Meyersfeld, started volunteering for an organization that provided support to victims of gender-based violence (GB... read moreV). In this role, she fielded calls from women who had been victims of abuse and offered them legal advice. Each woman spoke of how she felt trapped, scared and in some instances, had been failed by the justice system that was meant to protect her. In those moments, Boni felt helpless as she could do no more than explain that what was happening to them was wrong – both in life and in law. Upon hearing this, most of the clients would hesitate on the phone and then murmur: “Really?”
Their shock learning that abuse was both wrong and illegal confirmed what lawyers, psychologists and activists in the field of GBV have known for decades: the problem is not a case-by-case issue. The problem is systemic. While the perpetrators of this abuse are guilty, so too is the system that legitimizes and normalizes violence against women and girls in the sanctity and safety of their homes, workplaces and schools. This realization laid the foundation for what would ultimately become LvA, a community-based centre where GBV victims receive integrated legal and psychosocial support from trained professionals who have a deep understanding of the systemic nature of this problem.
Roles and Responsibilities
Provide direct legal services including comprehensive support in criminal cases, assistance with protection orders and general legal advice.
Work closely with LvA&rs
