St Louis Survivors Legal Support Inc

No Survivor Should Face Their Abuser Alone. Help Us Make That a Reality.

Every year, millions of people in the U.S. experience intimate partner violence (IPV)—but for many, the legal system feels impossible to navigate. In St. Louis, thousands of victims seek Orders of Protection (OPs) to escape abuse, yet most do so without an attorney, leaving them vulnerable to case dismissals, intimidation, and further harm. St. Louis Survivors Legal Support (SLSLS) is changing that.

The Problem: Barriers to Justice for IPV Victims

• IPV is widespread. More than 10 million people are abused by their partners every year in the U.S., and 3.2 million children witness this violence, leading to devastating long-term effects. 
• OPs work. These legal protections significantly reduce further abuse, especially in St. Louis County, where coordinated legal efforts enhance their effectiveness. 
• Yet, most victims never file. Only 10% of IPV cases are ever reported, and only a fraction result in petitions for OPs. 
• Even those who do file face extreme challenges. Abusers manipulate victims with threats, coercion, or false promises, leading to an 80% dismissal rate of OP cases in St. Louis County. 
• Legal representation changes everything. Victims with attorneys are three times more likely to obtain full legal protection—but 90% of victims in St. Louis go to court for their OP hearing without a lawyer.

SLSLS: The Lifeline for IPV Survivors

At SLSLS, we believe no victim should have to go to court alone. Our mission is to provide zealous legal advocacy to IPV survivors and their children, ensuring they receive the protection and justice they deserve.

• Legal Representation at No Cost: Our team of volunteer attorneys fights for survivors at OP hearings, ensuring they get the relief they desperately need. 
• Advocacy: Our social workers assist victims in filing strong petitions, increasing their chances of securing protective orders. 
• Long-Term Support: We help victims enforce their OPs, connect them with safety planning, housing, and employment services. 
• Community Partnerships: We work with 10+ police departments, 15+ victim advocacy organizations, hospitals, LGBTQ+ and immigrant support networks, and even local hair salons and churches to ensure survivors know where to find help.

The Impact: Survivors Protected, Futures Rebuilt

SLSLS has already helped hundreds of IPV victims in St. Louis find safety and justice. But too many still face their abusers alone. With your support, we can:

• Expand our volunteer attorney program to represent more survivors. 
• Strengthen community outreach to reach those who need help before it’s too late. 
• Ensure no survivor walks into court alone, afraid, and unrepresented.

Donate Today. Save a Life.

Your support empowers survivors to break free and start anew. Every dollar ensures a victim has a lawyer by their side, a safe path forward, and the justice they deserve.

Stand with survivors. Donate now.