COBTH Home
----------------
Introduction
----------------
Resouces
----------------
Public Health Champion
----------------
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
----------------
Boston Medical Center
----------------
Brigham and Women's Hospital
----------------
Cambridge Health Alliance
----------------
Caritas Carney Hospital
----------------
Caritas Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center
----------------
Children's Hospital Boston
----------------
Dana-Farber Cancer-Institute
----------------
Faulkner Hospital
----------------
Lahey Clinic Medical Center
----------------
Massachusetts General Hospital
----------------
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
----------------
Tufts Medical Center
----------------
VA Boston Healthcare System
----------------
COBTH Community Benefits Committee
----------------
COBTH Hospital Cancer Rides
----------------
COBTH Domestic Violence Council |
|
The Passageway Health Law Collaborative (PHLC) is a partnership between WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School (LSC) and Passageway at Brigham and Women’s Hospital  (BWH) that brings together the expertise of a domestic violence program and a clinical teaching legal services center to improve the lives of abuse victims. The following is one example of PHLC’s success. Identifying information has been changed to protect confidentiality.
“Helen” (not her real name) has been married for over 25 years and is the mother of a young child. She discloses to her BWH doctor escalating violence by her husband. Helen has felt trapped in the relationship because she has a chronic health condition. Her doctor refers her to a Passageway advocate. The advocate explores safety options with Helen, including a referral to the PHLC.
The lawyer at PHLC meets Helen while she is at an appointment at BWH. This is helpful to Helen as she has decreased energy from her medical condition. Over 18 months, the lawyer, law students, and Passageway advocate accompany Helen to court many times. The legal outcomes include a restraining order, divorce, child support and custody, and health insurance and financial benefits. Helen also receives assistance with debt/bankruptcy planning, a personal injury claim and standby guardianship for her child.
Helen is empowered to make her own decisions. Helen eloquently expresses her gratitude to Passageway. Through the support she received, she began to “reclaim herself.” Despite the abuse, Helen saw herself as “a survivor” and was reminded to enjoy the small pleasures in each and every day.
|
