Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 136 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

More Public Defense Spending

Emily Nonko

April 28, 2022 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Defender Association of Philadelphia practices community-oriented public defense — also known as "holistic defense" — to connect clients with support services and resources that help address the root causes of crimes. The association works with social workers, investigators, and paralegals to get clients access to housing, food, jobs, and healthcare, as well as mental health and substance use treatment, with more than 150 people referred to treatment providers between September 2016 and January 2017.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Women lawyers provide free legal support for SGBV Survivors in Oyo state by Agidigbo 88.7 FM Podcasts

Zainab Sanni

November 05, 2021 |

Agidigbo 88.7 FM |

Podcast |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Nigeria, Oyo State

The International Federation of Women Lawyers provides free legal support for Sexual and Gender-based violence Survivors in Oyo state. Many women cannot afford a legal challenge against a rapist or other perpetrator of violence and the federation has provided services to tens of thousands of women over the past 30 years.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Sexual Violence Is Endemic In Sokoto But A Law Firm Is Changing The Narrative

Abiodun Jamiu

September 23, 2021 |

HumAngle |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Sokoto

Rashida Muhammad and Co. is a small law firm in Nigeria's northwest states that gives free representation to women and girls who have been victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Despite harsh laws on the books, the people who commit such crimes benefit from an inefficient and slow system of justice. The Rashida firm has successfully prosecuted five cases, with more in progress. When victims do not see a likely way to seek justice, crimes go unreported, people committing harm remain unaccountable, and victims are discriminated against in education.

Read More
Go to Original Story
These Guides Help Defendants Avoid the Legal System's Boobytraps

Patrick Sisson

September 13, 2021 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

The nationwide nonprofit Partners for Justice aids public defender offices and their clients, helping to close gaps that can turn into unfair outcomes in criminal cases and repeated failures guaranteeing incarceration. Advocates get posted for two years to assist underfunded public defenders in multiple cities. The help can include gathering evidence to aid in clients' defense. But it goes beyond that to helping them and their families navigate bureaucracies so that their lives can be stable enough to avoid more criminal legal entanglements.

Read More
Go to Original Story
One Year Of Right To Counsel In Cleveland Gives Low Income Tenants Facing Eviction A Lifeline

Rachel Rood

July 01, 2021 |

ideastream |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Tenants in Cleveland can qualify for access to legal representation in eviction hearings through the Right to Counsel program. Similar programs across the country have resulted in high rates of success, with up to 85 percent of renters avoiding eviction.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Helpline Fills Gaps in Local Housing Assistance

Kathleen Shannon

June 29, 2021 |

KDNK Community Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado

Bridging Resources is a helpline launched by a group of nonprofits that connects residents to existing services. Bilingual operators field calls and connect callers to agencies that can provide food, rental assistance, childcare, and legal advice among other services. The operators actually call the agencies with residents on the line to ensure the connection is made. Seventy-eight callers received assistance in the helpline’s first ten weeks, split almost evenly between English and Spanish speakers, which reinforced the importance of providing bilingual assistance.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Minneapolis Lawyers Uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act

Elizabeth Amon

May 17, 2021 |

The Imprint |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Minnesota

The 43-year-old Indian Child Welfare Act continues to make a "profound" difference to Native American families and tribes, despite being under frequent legal attacks. The law limits the placement of Native children in non-Native foster or adoptive homes, to preserve families and Native culture. Helping parents stabilize their families is preferred over removing children. Native children are still removed from their families and culture at disproportionately high rates. But a review of 40 cases handled by the ICWA Law Center in Minnesota showed "clear benefit for the children it is designed to protect."

Read More
Go to Original Story
Raising the curtain on sex and sexism in Italian theatre

Isabella De Maddalena

May 13, 2021 |

News48 |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Italy

Amleta combats gender inequality in the theater industry on several fronts. The group, which began with 28 founding members and quickly grew to almost 400, conducted the first survey of the industry, finding a significant pay gap for women, who make up only about 15% of playwrights and directors and 37% of actors. Gender Wednesdays, weekly online trainings by experts in the field, is one way they support women’s professional development. They also provide economic, legal, and emotional support for women whose nude images were lifted from videos of theatrical performances and posted on pornographic websites.

Read More
Go to Original Story
New study identifies need for more attorneys to represent people facing housing legal woes

Nate Morabito

May 04, 2021 |

WCNC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy uses limited funding to provide lawyers to renters facing eviction. Preventing homelessness is more cost effective than providing services for people experiencing homelessness, and avoiding eviction prevents long-term credit problems. The attorneys provide a level of security to renters by helping them navigate the complex legal system and connecting them to other public services. Some are advocating for a "right to counsel" law, like one recently adopted in Louisville and paid for with federal pandemic funds, which guarantees free lawyers to people facing eviction.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Laws We Can Actually Understand

Jemille Q. Duncan

April 20, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India

Law Rewired, run by law students and an advisory board of legal scholars, translates complex laws and landmark court decisions into plain language so people can understand them. Real-world examples, easy to read bullet-points, videos, and a glossary of legal terms make the legal explanations more widely accessible. Summaries also explain why a law was enacted, when it can be applied, and any amendments that were added to it. The materials are available for free online and via social media and the organization answers 10 to 25 questions from readers every month about a variety of legal issues.

Read More
Go to Original Story