The MurthyNAYAK Foundation provides regular financial support to the Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence (MEDOVI) Project of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland. MEDOVI works with foreign-born clients who have been abused by an intimate partner – a spouse or former spouse, current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, or parent of a child in common. Domestic violence victims need help to free themselves from their abusers, and frequently must turn to the courts for protection. MEDOVI provides pro bono legal assistance to foreign-born victims of domestic violence in Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition proceedings, and in Final Protection Order hearings around the State of Maryland. MEDOVI also helps foreign-born victims of human trafficking and other crimes to apply for special visas

MEDOVI’s other free services include referrals to other community resources, information about legal rights and options, and safety planning assistance to help victims avoid encounters with their abusers. MEDOVI’s outreach programs raise public awareness about domestic violence and the resources available to victims, and train community service providers about special visa programs that can protect foreign-born domestic violence victims from deportation.

We support MEDOVI because no one should have to suffer from domestic abuse – ever! Every person has a right to be free from violence and abuse. This is a basic human right; and yet, thousands of people in Maryland are victimized in this way every year, and immigrant women are especially vulnerable. MEDOVI gives immigrant victims of domestic violence the legal help necessary to escape this cycle of abuse, and to begin rebuilding their lives.

For further information on the MEDOVI program, visit the Women’s Law Center website at www.wlcmd.org/domesticviolence.html.