One Story:

Situation: After severely abusing the mother of his sons, a father was placed in prison. Telephone visitation was allowed, but the father used this as an opportunity to intimidate his sons. He would interrogate his sons as to whether their mother had a new boyfriend, and ask them to pray in front of her for the family to reunite. One of the sons missed school 40 times during the school year due to severe stomachaches, with his grades dropping from Bs to Cs. The children later testified they were afraid of their father.

Action: The mother contacted Legal Aid to get protection for herself and her children. Legal Aid obtained a temporary order stopping the telephone visitation, and the mother later asked for a permanent “no contact” order, which was granted.

Result: After the child missed so many school days the previous year, he only missed three times after the restraining order. And, his grades rebounded to As and Bs. This is huge impact not only for this child and the family, but for the whole community. Instead of having to focus on safety, these children can focus on school.

Mid-Minneosta Legal Aid's St. Cloud Office provides legal advocacy for Minnesotans in Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties.

To learn more about Legal Aid and the people we serve, go to www.mylegalaid.org.