Law Against Violence: Is the Current Legal System an Effective Solution to Domestic Violence? (Pittsburgh)

Topics:
  • Ethical Issues

 

Allegheny County Bar Association logoThe Allegheny County Bar Association is hosting a CLE program entitled Law Against Violence: Is the Current Legal System an Effective Solution to Domestic Violence? on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM Eastern at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center., 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

 Alina’s Law was proposed after Alina Sheykhet – a University of Pittsburgh student – was brutally murdered by her former boyfriend against whom Alina held a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order. Following her death, Alina’s Law was designed to protect PFA holders through a new remedy: electronic monitoring of PFA respondents and can help protect Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens and add another tool to the society’s legal fight against domestic violence.

This CLE will feature a panel discussion including lawmakers, practitioners, academics and the judiciary and will cover the current state of the domestic violence prevention system and the pros and cons of adopting a law which would enable electronic monitoring of PFA respondents’ locations relative to the PFA holders. Because protecting the rights of domestic violence victims is much more nuanced than PFA proceedings, judiciary and law enforcement must provide additional safeguards to ensure that victims can be safe and have adequate access to justice. The panel also will briefly discuss the disrupted access to the courts and sexual and reproductive healthcare services.

Specifics:

  • Overview of the current Pennsylvania laws and regulations which address domestic violence
  • Impact of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders
  • Identifying legal and community resources for victims and survivors
  • Raising awareness in the legal community
  • COVID-19 and the impact on the response to domestic violence
  • Presentation and discussion of Alina’s Law: Use of monitoring devices for victims’ protection

The CLE is planned as part of a two-day cross-discipline Domestic Violence prevention and awareness event, which will include an international Art Against Violence exhibit (together with Vitaru Italia), Alina’s Dolls (a visual memorial to domestic violence victims), empowerment and healing workshops, overview of community resources and a scientific round table on the neurobiology of trauma and healing. The goal of the event is to draw attention to the rising numbers of domestic violence victims, to raise community support and awareness and to provide a network of legal, cultural and social support for victims of domestic violence and their families.

The specific goal of the CLE is to provide an update on the existing legal framework for addressing domestic violence, to discuss the practical application of domestic violence prevention laws and to address practical and constitutional challenges to the Alina’s Law proposal which would enable judges to order monitoring devices as part of the PFA proceedings.

Speakers:

Anita Kulik, Kulik Law Offices
Paul Krepps, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, PC
Michael Sullivan  
Cameron Kehm  
Aleksandra Phillips, Meyer Unkovic & Scott LLP (MODERATOR)

Registration:
  • ACBA Emeritus Status Member $0.00
  • ACBA Member $85.00
  • ACBA Member - Student $0.00
  • Non-ACBA Member $110.00
  • Non-ACBA Member Student $10.00

  • CLE Credit Comments:

    This program has been approved for 1.5 hours of Substantive CLE credit and 1 hour of Ethics credit and also qualifies for 2.5 hours of credit under the West Virginia Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

  • Contact:
    Allegheny County Bar Association
    412-261-6161