At The Second Step, we know that survivors do not avoid legal help because they do not need it. They often avoid it because the system feels unsafe, overwhelming, or shaming. Accessing the legal system requires courage. It also requires trust. For many survivors of domestic violence, that trust has been eroded, not only by abuse, but by prior experiences with institutions that felt confusing, dismissive, or retraumatizing.
Our Legal Services Program was designed with this reality in mind. We believe that access to justice must be trauma-informed, relational, and integrated with advocacy support. Legal intervention should reduce harm and not add to it.
Massachusetts has some of the strongest legal protections for survivors in the country. Survivors can seek Abuse Prevention Orders (209A), Harassment Prevention Orders (258E), emergency custody protections, and other legal remedies designed to increase safety. The Commonwealth also invests significantly in domestic violence services, legal aid, and housing supports. These protections matter deeply. And yet, strong laws do not automatically translate into access to justice.
Survivors still face:
- Complex court processes
- Limited legal representation
- Long wait times
- Housing instability that makes legal follow-through difficult
- Fear about immigration status, child custody, or financial consequences
Even in a state with robust protections, navigating the legal system can feel intimidating and isolating. Legal remedies are powerful tools — but only if survivors can safely access and use them.
Understanding the Barriers
Survivors face significant barriers long before they ever enter a courtroom.
They may fear:
- Not being believed
- Being blamed for the abuse
- Losing custody of their children
- Immigration consequences
- Retaliation from the person harming them
Shame and self-blame are common. Misinformation about legal consequences spreads easily. Safety concerns can make even a phone call feel risky. When survivors disengage from legal services, it is often viewed as hesitation or lack of readiness. More often, it reflects systems that were not built with trauma, culture, or lived experience at the center.
The Limits of Traditional Legal Access Models
Traditional legal service models can unintentionally create additional barriers.
Survivors frequently encounter:
- Fragmented referral systems
- Long waitlists
- Intake processes that feel interrogative
- Attorneys engaged only at moments of crisis
- A separation between legal representation and emotional support
In Massachusetts, legal services and advocacy services are often funded separately and delivered through different systems. This fragmentation can make it difficult for survivors to receive coordinated care. When legal and advocacy services are siloed, survivors are left to manage the emotional toll of litigation on their own. This separation can increase anxiety, reduce follow-through, and heighten risk. Access to justice must be more than access to a lawyer. It must be access to coordinated support.
Our Integrated Approach
At The Second Step, legal advocacy is embedded within our broader survivor services. Our model centers relationship, trust, and informed choice. We start with a trauma-informed, responsive intake process that is not a gatekeeping step but actually the beginning of support.
We prioritize:
- Building trust before gathering detailed narratives
- Normalizing fear, ambivalence, and uncertainty
- Providing accurate legal information early
- Clarifying options without pressure
Survivors are not required to “prove” readiness. They are supported by exploring options at their own pace.
In-House Staff Attorneys Working Alongside Advocates
Our in-house attorneys are integrated into our advocacy team.
This means:
- Survivors have timely access to legal advice
- Legal conversations happen in a supportive environment
- Attorneys practice trauma-informed, survivor-centered lawyering
- Legal strategy is developed collaboratively, guided by survivor goals
“Safety is not just than the absence of harm but the presence of care, connection, and
community.”
(NNEDV Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report, 2026)
When attorneys and advocates work together, survivors do not have to choose between emotional support and legal representation. They receive wraparound advocacy support that includes:
- Safety planning
- Emotional support
- Court accompaniment
- Referrals for housing, counseling, financial assistance, and other needs
In a high-cost state like Massachusetts, where housing instability is often a major barrier to safety, legal action cannot be separated from broader stabilization efforts. Advocacy ensures that legal decisions are grounded in a comprehensive safety plan.
Multiple Access Points
Survivors connect to legal services through many pathways:
- Prevention and education programs
- Community outreach
- Partner referrals
- Direct contact with advocates
Not every survivor identifies their situation as a legal issue at first. By creating multiple entry points, we reduce the pressure to be “legal-ready” before seeking support.
Reimagining Access to Justice
The Second Step’s approach is grounded in respect for survivor autonomy and lived experience. We practice cultural humility and prioritize language access. We engage in ongoing dialogue with survivors and community partners to ensure our services remain responsive and accessible to the diverse communities across Massachusetts.
Domestic violence is often treated as a private issue. Legal systems can mirror that framing, requiring survivors to navigate complex procedures on their own. At The Second Step, we reject the idea that survivors must overcome shame, fear, and confusion before receiving meaningful support. Access to justice should not depend on a survivor’s ability to navigate fragmented systems. It should be built on trust, coordination, and care. When legal services are embedded within advocacy and grounded in trauma-informed practice, barriers decrease and engagement becomes possible.
Justice is not only about representation. It is about restoring agency, safety, and stability.
If you or someone you know needs help, The Second Step is here.
Call 617-965-2538 or email info@thesecondstep.org