CHARLESTON – A pilot program to allow victims of domestic violence and sexual assault access the court system without being in the same room as their assailants has expanded to Kanawha County.
“It’s about safety. It’s about access to courts. It’s about justice. It’s about the judicial system. It’s about helping people in a time of need,” state Supreme Court Chief Justice Evan Jenkins said during a press conference October 25 in Kanawha Family Court.
Noting that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Jenkins also said it’s a “perfect opportunity to do something extraordinary.”
He said about 10,000 domestic violence protective orders and personal safety orders have been filed in West Virginia since January 1, 2021. About 10 percent of those have been in Kanawha County.
Previously, victims of domestic violence had to file petitions for domestic violence protective orders or petitions for personal safety orders in person at magistrate court. Sometimes, respondents try to prevent victims from entering court facilities or follow them to their cars or home after hearings.
Victims can still file initial petitions and attend follow-up hearings at the Kanawha County Judicial Building, but the pilot project gives them the additional option of going to the REACH (Rape Education, Advocacy, Counseling and Healing) site or to the YWCA Charleston Resolve Family Abuse Program.
Victims should call ahead to make appointments at these confidential locations. The REACH 24-hour hotline is 304-340-3676 and the YWCA Resolve 24-hour hotline is 304-340-3549. The remote sites are available for remote hearings 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Magistrate Court is accessible 24 hours a day for those needing protective orders and personal safety orders.
“It will absolutely save lives,” said Julie Britton Haden, program director of the YWCA Charleston Resolve Family Abuse Program.
Kanawha Family Court Judge Brittany Ranson Stonestreet said she and the other family court judges are excited to use the new pilot program equipment, which is also available in Cabell and Ohio Counties.
“This provides a safe place if it’s needed,” Stonestreet said during the press conference in her courtroom.
She recalled the first domestic violence case she presided in after she became a family court judge in December 2020. The woman was visibly shaking, talked in a whisper, and cowered every time the respondent in the case spoke.
“She was absolutely terrified,” Stonestreet said. “This is going to make a big difference, and I can’t wait to see the positive results that come about because of it.”
Jenkins said the technology is available following changes made within the court system following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court added technology to courts across the state. Some of that equipment will be used for this program.
“West Virginia has taken a leadership role in that regard,” Jenkins said. “We learned a lot during COVID about how we can do court business differently and more safely.”
The remote access computer equipment was purchased with a federal grant from the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, Division of Administrative Services, Justice and Community Services, the state administering agency for the STOP Violence Against Women Grant Program.