Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS), a nonprofit law firm offering free legal assistance to qualified residents in 13 Florida urban and rural counties and farmworkers statewide, has received renewed funding for its four Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, which will support the organization's efforts to provide free civil legal services to victims of crime across its service areas.
These grants, covering FRLS offices in Lakeland, Fort Pierce, Fort Myers, and West Palm Beach, are vital to offering holistic legal support to victims who are navigating the challenges of crime-related legal issues - including a variety of non-intimate partner crimes, abuse, assault, theft, financial crimes, human trafficking, and more.
The services funded by VOCA include:
- Legal representation for victims facing housing issues such as eviction or unlawful detainer actions.
- Support for victims of financial crimes, including identity theft and fraud.
- Assistance with restraining orders for victims of stalking, repeat violence, and sexual violence.
- Advocacy for survivors of human trafficking, both sex and labor trafficking.
- Legal guidance and support for child and adult victims of abuse, including bullying and neglect.
The renewal of these VOCA grants ensures that FRLS can continue helping those who have suffered from criminal acts by providing them with the legal resources necessary to regain stability and move forward with their lives.
Through this funding, FRLS strengthens its ability to advocate for the rights of victims and help them navigate the often complex legal landscape that follows a crime. With continued support from the Attorney General’s office, FRLS will be able to offer essential legal services to the communities it serves, ensuring victims of crime can access the help they need to rebuild their lives.