Legal Advocacy
Legal Services Team
Sunrise has legal advocates that are available to assist survivors with any issues related to law enforcement and the legal system including orders of protection, court support and advocacy, and attorney referrals. The team includes Bilingual staff, and access to Optimal Phone Interpretation (OPI) for those that speak other languages.
The Legal advocates participate in safety planning, leveraging crimes compensation assistance through the Florida Office of the Attorney General. This program provides for assistance with relocation and address confidentiality needs resulting from Domestic and Sexual violence, crimes compensation for wage loss, mental health and medical expenses.
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Injunction for Protection Project
Sunrise Injunction for Protection (IFP) Project Attorneys provide legal advice and courtroom representation to survivors of domestic, dating, sexual violence, stalking and cyberstalking seeking civil injunctions for protection as well as legal assistance with violations of civil injunctions for protection. Additionally, Sunrise IFP Attorneys aid in developing collaborative referral systems for survivors seeking injunctions for protection, identify crucial community partnerships that would benefit from formalized systems coordination agreements and educate on the dynamics of gender based victimization and the legal system.
Invest Team
Sunrise participates in Pasco County’s Intimate Violence Enhanced Service Team (InVEST).
InVEST was created by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) to reduce and prevent domestic violence homicides in Florida. Law enforcement agencies partner with certified domestic violence centers such as Sunrise to review police reports daily to identify potential high risk domestic violence cases. They then make contact with survivors to determine if they are interested in participating in the program.
Our Invest Team is a collaboration with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Dade City Police Department, Zephyrhills Police Department, New Port Richey Police Department and Port Richey Police Department, as well as the Pasco County State Attorney’s office. This team works together to focus on abuser and perpetrator accountability within the criminal justice system.