Gender Based Violence: Law, Practice, and Policy

Catalog description

The objective of GBV: Law, Practice, and Policy is to expand students' knowledge and understanding of the web of laws addressing gender-based violence while building practical civil litigation skills The course will begin by reviewing principles of gender- based violence and protections around safety, while also working with students on how to provide trauma-informed advocacy in intaking and representing a GBV survivor in practice. The course will cover civil state and federal housing and family law protections available to survivors of GBV while working through the building blocks of litigation in Illinois circuit courts: drafting a petition, motion to dismiss, and other responsive pleadings, and conducting an in-class oral argument and mediation. This course will help students understand not only the existence and purpose of laws protecting survivors of gender-based violence, but will also give students the opportunity to experience the challenges and considerations in the practical application of these laws in representing survivors in civil court.