About
The Restraining Order and Survivor Advocacy (ROSA) Clinic provides direct legal services to victims/survivors of intimate-partner violence and/or crime in Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Sauk and other surrounding counties.
Law students assist victims/survivors of intimate-partner violence and/or crime by assisting with Restraining Order petitions, providing direct representation at injunction hearings (restraining order hearings), and providing relevant resources under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty. In addition, the Clinic seeks to assist victims/survivors with additional legal needs consistent with victims’ rights under Wisconsin’s Marsy’s Law.
The Clinic works directly with community groups and agencies throughout Wisconsin to provide services with no cost to the victim/survivor.
The ROSA Clinic exposes students to direct representation of victims/survivors of intimate-partner violence in Dane, Rock, Sauk and Jefferson and other surrounding counties. The educational goal of the clinic is to train students in litigation skills, research, analysis, client interviewing, negotiation, and in the dynamics of intimate-partner violence. ROSA Clinic students learn trauma-informed lawyering and work directly with victims and survivors of intimate-partner violence.
Information for Students
ROSA Clinic students will:
- Provide direct legal services to victims/survivors of intimate-partner violence
- Assist clients with completing restraining-order petitions
- Observe and participate in injunction hearings
- Be knowledgeable of and provide relevant resources to clients
- Assist victims/survivors with legal needs as designated under Wisconsin's Marsy's Law
In addition to working on cases and appearing in court, students will participate in a weekly seminar. The weekly seminars will include:
- Substantive topics, including trauma-informed advocacy, client-centered advocacy, the intersection of intimate-partner violence and law enforcement and wellness
- Skill development including litigation skills, interviewing, counseling and writing
- Community resources
The weekly seminar will also give students the ability to discuss their cases and seek assistance from their peers. This course meets Rule 3.03 requirement.
Students interested in learning more about the ROSA Clinic should contact Clinical Director, Ryan Poe-Gavlinski, at ryan.poegavlinski@wisc.edu.
Information for the Public
If you are a victim/survivor of intimate-partner violence and you are in need of getting a restraining order, the clinic can assist you in filing for a restraining order and represent you at your injunction hearing.
The ROSA Clinic Can Help With:
- Understanding if you have the grounds to file for a restraining order. The clinic can information help you determine if that is the correct course of action.
- Filing a restraining order and representing a victim and/or survivor of intimate-partner violence in court proceedings.
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If you are a victim/survivor of intimate-partner violence and you are in need of getting a restraining order or have questions, the clinic can assist you in filing for a restraining order and represent you at your injunction hearing. The clinic may be able to assist with other legal needs you may have as a victim/survivor of IPV or crime.
The ROSA Clinic Cannot Help With:
- Filing or representing you in a divorce or custody custody proceeding. Please reach out to the Family Court Clinic for assistance with Family Court matters.
Additional Resources
Wisconsin Courts Restraining Order Online Portal
Wisconsin courts have developed a Restraining Order Portal for self-represented litigants seeking to file restraining orders. The portal is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed from any smart device, including smartphones.
- Secure Account Required: You will need a safe, private email address to create an account and track your filing.
- Safety Warning: Internet activity can be tracked. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
- Help may be available: Find a free, confidential advocate in your area by visiting endabusewi.org/get-help
- Visit the Wisconsin Court System's Online Restraining Order Portal: ro.wicourts.gov
Additional Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Violence Resources and Hotlines
- Dane County Department of Human Services: Child & Elder Abuse/Neglect Reporting
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS)
- End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
- Family Peace Center
- Family Service Madison
- Freedom, Inc.
- Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources
- Green Haven Family Advocates
- Harmónia: Women's Voices Program
- Hope House of Sourth Central Wisconsin
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (call, chat, and text)
- National Teen Dating Abuse: Love is Respect (call, chat, and text)
- Rainbow Project
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline (call, chat, and text)
- Safe Haven Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Center
- Sexual Violence Resource Center (formerly Rape Crisis Center)
- Stronghearts Native Hotline
- The Women's Center of Waukesha
- Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Inc. (Forest, Oneida, Vilas Counties)
- Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
- UNIDOS - bilingual support (ingles y español)
- Women and Children's Horizons
Additional Community Resources
If you require assistance that is not covered by any of the clinics at EJI, additional assistance may be available through these community resources:
Contact Us
The Restraining Order & Survivor Advocacy Clinic is currently closed for the semester break and will resume operations on Tuesday, Aug. 4th.
