Legal Advocacy

If you are a survivor of sexual violence, stalking, domestic violence, child abuse, harassment, financial coercion, or other forms of abuse, the Middle Way House Legal Advocacy team is available to assist you. Our legal advocates can help explain, guide, and support you through a legal system that is often complicated or even intimidating; however, they do not offer legal advice or provide legal representation. Our advocates serve survivors throughout six southern Indiana counties (Monroe, Greene, Lawrence, Owen, Morgan, and Martin).

Legal advocates are available at the Bloomington New Wings administrative building Monday – Friday from 8AM – 6PM. They will work with clients over the phone and in person to help with issues such as completing divorce petitions, protective orders, or other ways of receiving help from the court. They can also discuss custody options, parenting time, issues related to violations of protective orders, and make referrals to pro bono and reduced fee legal programs, private attorneys, therapists, and other helpful resources. Our legal advocates can also provide information about and assistance applying for various attorney general programs available to survivors, such as The Hope Card or Address Confidentiality programs. Advocates may also assist survivors who are eligible for and interested in pursuing victims’ compensation. Assistance with safety planning and help obtaining legal protections available to survivors of relationship or sexual violence, such as being removed from a lease or having your locks changed, is also available.

Our legal advocacy team and trained volunteers are able to accompany survivors to court hearings and case-related appointments to provide emotional support. Volunteers monitor court hearings and assist advocates as needed.

The Middle Way House legal advocacy team regularly participates in the Monroe County Domestic Violence Coalition and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Our advocates also coordinate services with the Protective Order Project at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, which provides assistance with volunteer attorney back-up for persons seeking protective orders.

Middle Way House is an active partner within the Protective Order Assistance Partnership (POAP). POAP provides free assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who are seeking safety through civil protective orders. Assistance includes an overview of the process of petitioning the court for an order of protection, safety planning for critical aspects of the process, resource referrals to help meet immediate and long-term needs, and help in completing a petition for a Protective Order to be submitted to the court for review.  Middle Way House legal advocate Stephanie Waller, MSW is employed full-time within the partnership’s office. This on-site presence helps create a bridge of support to Middle Way House by providing survivors with immediate access to our broad range of services, all from within a county government office. POAP is a collaborative effort between the Monroe County Clerk’s Office, Middle Way House, the IU Mauer School of Law’s Protective Order Project (POP), the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, and the IU Bloomington School of Social Work.

Outside of Monroe County, advocates are available to assist with these matters in one of our three county outreach offices located in Greene, Owen and Martin counties.

To speak with or request an appointment with one of our legal advocates, call:  812.333.7404.

Helpful Resources:

Monroe County Child Support Program
Curry Building, 214 W 7th Street, Suite 110
Bloomington, IN 47404
M-F, 8 am-4pm
Phone: 812.349.2675

Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office
301 N. College Ave, Room 211
Bloomington, IN 47404
M-F, 8am—4pm
Phone: 812.349.2670

Victim’s Assistance Program
301 N. College Ave, Room 211
Bloomington, IN 47404
M-F, 8am-4pm
Phone: 812.349.7376

Monroe County Clerk’s Office
301 N. College Ave., Room 201
Bloomington IN 47404
M-F, 8am-4pm
Phone: 812.349.2614

IU Mauer School of Law’s Protective Order Project (POP)
211 S. Indiana Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
pop@indiana.edu
Phone: 812.855.4800

Indiana Legal Services
214 College Ave., Second Floor
Bloomington, IN 47404
M-F, 9am-5pm
Phone: 812.339.7668

District 10 Pro Bono Project
PO Box 8382
Bloomington, IN 47407
rala.dist10probono@gmail.com
Phone: 812.339.3610