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with their advocate, which is helpful when discussing ongoing safety planning around Domestic Abuse No Contact Orders
<br />(DANCOs), housing, co -parenting, child safety, and other important issues. Our criminal advocacy services with several Mounds
<br />View clients is ongoing, as it typically takes several months for cases to work their way through the court process. These lengthy
<br />court time frames can be challenging, as these delays prevent victim -survivors from being able to move forward with their lives.
<br />In addition, we try to serve each victim -survivor and their family holistically by addressing other needs through Tubman programs
<br />and external resources with the goal of removing barriers to access, so the client and their family can move forward with as much
<br />support as possible. In the last year, Mounds View clients have utilized additional Tubman services, including attorney advice and
<br />representation on their protective order cases, shelter, support groups, Safe at Home application assistance, help with breaking
<br />leases due to DV, and financial assistance through our Freedom Fund for such expenses as rental assistance and gas cards. Tubman
<br />services are client led and trauma informed, and we focus on the needs and goals identified by the client as being most important to
<br />them. Unfortunately, the majority of our clients often face multiple complex competing needs in addition to their legal needs and
<br />other safety concerns.
<br />In addition to our work with clients, we have also strived to share information and engage the police department in ongoing systems
<br />change discussions. In the last year, Deputy Chief Hellpap and Officer LeVoir have participated in the Tubman-led Think Tank
<br />committee, which is a multidisciplinary group of criminal justice professionals from Ramsey and Washington Counties who meet
<br />bi-monthly. The purpose of the group is to identify and address issues between legal systems that lead to barriers for victims of
<br />domestic abuse, share information, and focus on solutions. Ramsey County legal staff will also be attending a few roll calls at
<br />Mounds View Police Department in the next week to share information about Tubman services, DV dynamics, and the role of an
<br />advocate. This is something that we did more regularly before COVID, and our team is looking to get back to doing this once again
<br />on a yearly basis.
<br />As we start a new year, it's also important to reflect on client successes in 2023. That may look different depending on the client's
<br />individual situation. For example, we have worked with several victim -survivors who have been able to secure an Order for
<br />Protection that provides for additional safety measures and other immediate relief. Clients have participated in the criminal court
<br />process with the goal of getting the offender help, so they can be a better partner and parent moving forward. We have connected
<br />with others who may have decided not to participate in the court process at this time, but they had the opportunity to talk with a
<br />legal advocate to develop a safety plan and learn about their options and resources if they need them in the future. In addition, we
<br />wanted to share a specific Mounds View client story that highlights the ongoing need for Tubman services and the barriers victim -
<br />survivors often face in trying to stay safe and hold the abusive party accountable.
<br />"Sarah" is a Mounds View client who has been working with Tubman on and off since June 2020. Her boyfriend assaulted her at
<br />that time and prevented her from calling 911 for help. He had fled the scene, so the city prosecutor charged the defendant with
<br />Interference with a 911 call and Domestic Assault by warrant. Sarah was interested in filing an Order for Protection, and a Tubman
<br />advocate assisted in drafting the paperwork remotely, and a Tubman staff attorney e-filed the order on her behalf. Law enforcement
<br />was not able to serve the respondent despite multiple attempts. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the courts were closed for
<br />several months, and it took a really long time for the case to resolve. Since then, Sarah's abuser has continued to harass and stalk
<br />her. She made additional reports to Mounds View Police around violations of her OFP and Domestic Abuse No Contact Order
<br />(DANCO). In one incident, Sarah told the police when the defendant was typically driving by her home, and they responded,
<br />witnessed the defendant drive by, and arrested him. As part of her ongoing safety plan, Sarah was able to access Tubman's
<br />Freedom Fund financial assistance to purchase security cameras for her home. Her Tubman legal advocate also helped Sarah draft
<br />and file two additional OFP extensions when her order was set to expire. A Tubman staff attorney represented Sarah in 2023 on her
<br />latest extension, and it was granted with findings based on the defendant's conviction for the prior Violation of a Domestic Abuse
<br />No Contact Order. Sarah had also participated in the criminal court process on that matter, which was helpful to the prosecution in
<br />securing a conviction in that case.
<br />Sarah's story is a great example of how victim -survivors often deal with domestic abuse and ongoing court processes for several
<br />years. It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and exhausting. However, having the support to navigate these processes and access
<br />resources makes a big difference. Sarah has repeatedly shared how grateful she is for Tubman's services throughout her journey.
<br />Overall, our team is incredibly thankful for the city, prosecution, and police department's continued support for Tubman services
<br />for those experiencing relationship violence, and we appreciate your strong commitment and leadership in providing these critical
<br />services to the community of Mounds View moving forward.
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