Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County increases services for domestic violence survivors

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Victims of domestic violence are receiving more support from the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County.

Attorney Camille Agnello said the services at the foundation are particularly important in Santa Barbara County, because they are the only civil legal services that provide free legal services to survivors.

Agnello works in the family violence prevention and immigration program at the foundation and sees domestic violence cases every week.

The Family Violence Prevention Program addresses the legal needs of survivors of intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

The foundation’s attorneys currently serve 130 survivors of domestic abuse, but the demand for their services exceeds their capacity.

To help this situation, the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is providing $100,000 to the program.

Agnello believes the grant marks a significant milestone in their mission to provide comprehensive legal support for domestic violence survivors.