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Violence Against Women
Women’s Law Project attorneys have represented victims of domestic violence in family law proceedings at trial and appeal levels. We have also authored amicus briefs highlighting the needs of victims:
- On August 4, 2010,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denounced myths about rape in Reedy v. Evanson while reinstating the civil rights lawsuit of a Butler County sexual assault victim. In rejecting the rape myths on which the police and the District Court relied, the Third Circuit adopted arguments submitted by the Women’s Law Project in its amicus brief in support of plaintiff Reedy on behalf of 39 non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the criminal justice system’s response to violence against women. (see press release.)
- On April 25, 2007, the WLP filed an amicus brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in CCH v. Phillies on behalf of 30 non-profit organizations Sexual Assault Victims committed to vindicating the legal rights of sexual
assault victims.
- The WLP drafted a brief in Schieber v. City of Philadelphia (3rd Cir. 2001), seeking to hold the city responsible for police failure to respond appropriately to a call for help on behalf of a woman murdered in her apartment by a sexual predator;
- The WLP also authored an amicus brief in Commonwealth v. Fischer (PA. Supreme Ct. 1999) a rape case in which the defendant attempted to create a new “mistake of fact as to consent” defense.
- On behalf of organizations serving domestic violence survivors, the WLP filed an amicus brief in Saenz v. Roe, 526 U.S. 489 (1999), in a challenge to a state welfare residency requirement;
- In Dalrymple v. Brown, the WLP argued to extend statutes of limitations for adult survivors of sexual abuse.
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