Income and poverty status among women experiencing intimate partner violence: A positive social return on investment from civil legal aid services
Published online on July 30, 2021
Abstract
["Law & Society Review, Volume 55, Issue 3, Page 405-428, September 2021. ", "\nAbstract\nWe examined the economic status of women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and sought civil legal aid services over 1 year. Women's average overall income increased, after accounting for both private income increases and public income decreases, by approximately $5500, and the odds of being in poverty 1 year after civil legal services decreased. The social return on investment estimate for total income impact relative to legal aid costs was 141%, meaning that women's overall income increased $2.41 for every $1 expended on legal aid services. Legal aid services can improve income and reduce poverty among women experiencing IPV.\n"]