2012 Equal Justice Works Fellow, Meghan Kempf
Meghan Kempf
Name of Host Organization: Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc.
City, State: San Antonio, Texas
Issue area: Domestic Violence
Sponsors: Texas Access to Justice Foundation
The Inspiration
Printer-friendly versionI have been fortunate. That simple truth is what created my desire to help others achieve even a small portion of the providence I have experienced. The empowerment that comes from the realization of one’s dreams is an incomparably strong catalyst for self-respect. The basic human trait of dignity is what has been taken from many of the victims of domestic violence. The abuser has managed to degrade, disempower, and overshadow every action of his or her victim, making it impossible for the abused to live their own lives. Through my work at Court Appointed Child Advocates (CASA), the Center for Legal and Social Justice (CLSJ) at St. Mary's University, and at Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS) I have served as a catalyst and witness to their survival, and blossoming when they discovered someone believed in them. Knowing I was capable of helping my clients became the calling that decided the area of law I wanted to work in: domestic violence litigation. The Project
I will be working with Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. to provide litigation services to enforce existing court orders for victims of domestic violence, particularly focusing on ensuring that victims receive the promised safety and resources. Additionally, I will develop comprehensive training for local law enforcement, legal professionals, and victims to enable those parties to effectively identify and prevent violations of court orders. The desired outcome is to not only deter violations of court orders regarding domestic violence, but to most importantly enable victims and their families to achieve protection and stability.
Biography
Hometown: |
Austin, Texas |
Law school: | |
Words to live by: |
"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
- spoken by Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird |