Sanctuary for Families’ Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services

Who We Are

Sanctuary for Families is a leading nonprofit in New York State dedicated exclusively to serving survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking, and their children. Every year, Sanctuary empowers more than ten thousand adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services.

Sanctuary’s Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services provides representation to victims of domestic in—but not limited to—divorce, order of protection, child custody and visitation, child support, housing, public benefits, Hague Convention, and immigration cases.

We define domestic violence as a pattern of intimate partner, family, or dating violence, with a central dynamic of power and control. It includes female genital mutilation, forced or child marriage, violence carried out in the name of family “honor,” and violence inflicted by extended family members. Priority is given to cases in which we believe that our representation will assist a client in protecting her or his safety and economic wellbeing and that of their children.

How to Get Help

Call our office during our hours Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and follow the prompts. There are welcome messages in both English & Spanish.

Who We Serve

Area(s): Bronx County, Kings (Brooklyn) County, New York (Manhattan) County, Queens County, Richmond (Staten Island) County

Language(s) Spoken

• Dutch / Nederlands
• French / Français
• Hindi / हिन्दी
• Mandarin Chinese / 官話
• Punjabi / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
• Spanish / Español

Circumstances and languages in which interpreters are provided

Dutch, French, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, Twi

Income Guidelines

Services are provided to indigent and poor victims of domestic violence. We now provide immigration assistance for victims of human trafficking.

Is this organization accessible by wheelchair?: NO

Does this organization provide access for the hearing impaired?: NO

Type of Help

This group provides the following types of services based on your legal needs and its resources:

• Self-Help Materials
• Brief Advice
• Pro Se Legal Clinic
• Full Legal Representation