The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2024

In Oklahoma City, the Palomar Legal Network provides oppor tunities for attorneys to volunteer their services or offer them at a reduced rate to help survivors secure housing and obtain other civil legal services. 25 Free victim protection order trainings are offered to attorneys desiring to help. 26 Additionally, in 2024, there will be four opportunities for attor neys to volunteer to provide lim ited legal advice on issues such as VPOs, family and domestic matters and landlord and tenant issues. 27 Look for groups in your area of the state that provide such opportuni ties or help get them started. CONCLUSION Whether it’s utilizing Oklahoma’s laws to provide the maximum pro tection to human and nonhuman survivors of domestic violence or educating ourselves as lawyers so that we can best counsel our clients, lawyers play a vital role in facilitat ing refuge for all victims impacted by domestic violence. If you are a victim of domes tic violence and need immedi ate assistance, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

11. https://nationallinkcoalition.org. 12. “The ‘Power and Control Wheel’ of Domestic Abuse and Animal Violence,” https://bit.ly/3SKhsu2. 13. “Animal cruelty by children exposed to domestic violence,” Child Abuse & Neglect , Volume: 30, Issue: 4, Dated: April 2006, Pages: 425-435, Cheryl L. Currie. 14. “Domestic violence and animal abuse have significant impacts on children,” https://bit.ly/49opePD. 15. Oklahoma Statutes Title 22 Section 60.2 – Protective Order – Petition – Form – Filing Fee – Preparation – Protection of Animal. 16. Id . 17. Megan A. Senatori and Allison Palmbach, “Lawyers Can Play a Vital Role in Facilitating Refuge for Humans and Animals Impacted by Domestic Violence,” American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Animal Law Committee Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2023. 18. Megan A. Senatori, “More Than a Link: Animal Cruelty is Domestic Violence,” Lewis & Clark Law School, Center for Animal Law Studies (March 3, 2022), https://bit.ly/49f2gdQ. 19. 504 P.3d 223 (Wash. 2022) No. 99581-8, 2022 WL 481421 (Wash. Feb. 17, 2022). 20. Id. (Emphasis added). 21. 22 O.S. §60.2 E. 22. See “Guide to Representing Animal Protection Organization,” Daina Bray and Yolanda Eisenstein, published by the American Bar Association, Business Law Section. 23. Megan A. Senatori and Allison Palmbach, “Lawyers Can Play a Vital Role in Facilitating Refuge for Humans and Animals Impacted by Domestic Violence,” American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Animal Law Committee Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2023. 24. “Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act,” Animal Welfare Institute, https://bit.ly/3uvXIkn, Pet & Women Safety Act of 2017, H.R. 909 – 115th CONG. §3 (2019). 25. Palomar: Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center. https://palomarokc.org/legal-resources. For more information, contact kelly.masters.newton@palomarokc.org. 26. Id. 27. Id . Feb. 16, May 17, Aug. 16, Nov. 15. For more information, contact kelly.masters.newton@palomarokc.org.

Charis L. Ward is an Oklahoma attorney who focuses on animal and real property law. She is the current vice chair of

the OBA Animal Law Section and a member of the OBA Real Property Law Section and Title Examination Standards Committee, the ABA Animal Law Committee and Companion Animals Subcommittee and the Oklahoma City Real Property Lawyers Association. She and her husband are the proud “paw”rents of three purebred mutts: Gidget, Astro and Josh, aka Mr. Wigglesworth. 1. “Pet Ownership Statistics 2024,” https://bit.ly/49phHQu. 2. “Domestic Violence and The Link,” National Link Coalition, https://bit.ly/49opePD. 3. See World Population Review’s study “Domestic Violence by State 2024,” https://bit.ly/3SB72Ma. 4. Palomar/Oklahoma Humane Society Animal Advocacy Program, https://bit.ly/488ToWe. 5. “Domestic Violence and The Link,” National Link Coalition, https://bit.ly/49opePD. 6. “What is Domestic Violence,” Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence. 7. Oklahoma Statutes Title 60. O.S. §60.1(6) (D) – Definitions – Intimate Partner. 8. “What is Domestic Violence,” Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence. 9. Id . 10. https://bit.ly/3HOzl4I. ENDNOTES

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL