DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW PROJECT Safe Horizon established the Domestic Violence Law Project (DVLP) in 1991. DVLP provides high-quality legal representation to low-income and indigent victims of domestic violence in orders of protection, custody, support, and divorce proceedings. DVLP attorneys also advocate for clients within the criminal justice system. Immigration Law Project Since 1988, the Immigration Law Project (ILP) has provided free and low-cost services to victims of crime, torture, and abuse in immigration proceedings. ILP has represented hundreds of battered women in Violence Against Women Act self-petitions and adjustment proceedings as well as gender-based asylum claims. To find out how Safe Horizon can help you, go to Legal Assistance. Mediation Since 1981, Safe Horizon’s Mediation Program has been helping New Yorkers resolve their disputes instead of entering into lengthy and expensive court processes. The mediator, an impartial third party, assists participants in finding their own solutions. Mediation helps to prevent the escalation of disputes into violent assaults, offers more immediate solutions than the court process allows, and decreases the number of cases in the family and criminal courts. Precinct Programs The Domestic Violence Police Programs (DVPP) team a Safe Horizon caseworker with a police officer to conduct home visits and follow up on cases of reported domestic violence. Caseworkers offer crisis intervention counseling and advocacy for victims of domestic violence to help them in working with the police and the District Attorney’s Office. DVPP counselors also conduct awareness presentations for police and in communities, business offices, and Police Service Areas throughout the five boroughs. To contact Safe Horizon's Precinct Programs, please call the hotline. Navigating the Court System Safe Horizon operates more than 30 court-based programs throughout the five boroughs that assist victims in navigating the court system by providing advocacy, information, resources, and access to private waiting rooms for victims. Safe Horizon’s Children’s Centers, located in court houses in all five boroughs, provide free, supportive, educational child care for child victims and witnesses and other children of adults who must appear in court. To find out how Safe Horizon can help you, go to Assistance in the Courts. Supervised Visitation Safe Horizon supervises visits between children and their non-custodial parents and provides individual and group counseling for children and their guardians. Case managers assess the child’s well being, advise parents on problems that result from separation, and help families develop long-term visitation agreements. Additionally, they keep the court informed of the progress and cooperation of each family member in the program in order for the Judge to make visitation and custody decisions that are in the best interest of the children.