SAFETY ALERT: It is very easy for people to monitor how other people are using their computers. If you are afraid that someone might be checking up on you and how you use a computer, please use a different computer, call your local domestic violence hotline, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline toll-free at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Domestic violence cuts across lines of culture, economics, language, nationality, physical ability, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Virginia law defines “family abuse” to mean “any act involving violence, force, or threat including, but not limited to, any forceful detention, which results in bodily injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of bodily injury and which is committed by a person against such person’s family or household member.” Hundreds of people in the Shenandoah Valley and Roanoke Valley are affected in some way each year by this issue. For those that have few resources and limited options due to poverty, it can be an overwhelming, and seemingly insurmountable obstacle towards the path to safety and security without any help or assistance.

For these reasons, Blue Ridge Legal Services makes it one of our high priorities to assist victims of domestic violence. We work to help low income individuals who are trying to escape from an abusive relationship by providing free civil legal assistance for protective orders, and may be able to assist with the family law issues of custody, visitation, support, and divorce. Therefore, if you are a domestic violence victim who is low income and you have a civil legal problem (not criminal or traffic related), please call Blue Ridge Legal Services today to find out if you are eligible to receive free legal assistance.