Every Thursday morning at 8:30am, advocates for survivors of domestic violence are present in Department D of the Watsonville Courthouse during the domestic violence calendar for the following services:

• Support with paperwork regarding family law restraining orders (domestic violence and elder or dependent adult abuse)

• General information on legal processes specific to domestic violence and elder abuse restraining orders (ROs)

• Peer emotional support

• Safety-planning for a survivor’s physical and emotional safety

• Information on legal and other community resources

• Information on how to find support around domestic violence

All of our services are free and voluntary for survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse. We support survivors of any gender, sexuality, age, citizenship status, marital status, income level, or any other personal identities.

Please note that, by law, advocates cannot provide legal advice or representation. “Legal advice” includes telling someone what they should do, say, or write in order to achieve a specific outcome, such as what they should tell the judge in order to have their restraining order petition granted. What we can do is offer general information and help you talk through your options so you feel like you can make a more informed decision about your process, and offer additional resources as needed.

How to find us:

• Walnut Avenue’s legal advocates wear purple lanyards with a tag saying ADVOCATE. We’re usually there between 8:15-8:25am in the hallway outside of Department D. Don’t hesitate to come up and say hi! We’re here to help in whatever way we can.

• Give our front office a call at (831) 426-3062. If a legal advocate is unavailable, the receptionist can take down your information and let the advocates know to anticipate your participation at your next RO court date.

• If you’re already participating in our domestic violence services, let your advocate know that you’d like one of the legal advocates to check in with you at your next court date.