LAWS Conference: Legal Advocates Working for Safety

LAWS (Legal Advocates Working for Safety) is ANDVSA’s annual conference dedicated to supporting advocates who work alongside survivors navigating the civil and criminal justice systems. This powerful three-day event is designed to strengthen skills, build resilience, and foster a supportive community of professionals committed to justice and survivor-centered advocacy.

At LAWS, participants will:

• Deepen their understanding of legal systems and survivors’ rights
• Learn practical tools for safety planning, courtroom support, and legal advocacy
• Explore the intersections of trauma, oppression, and justice through a survivor-centered lens
• Engage in hands-on workshops, case studies, and skill-building sessions
• Connect with fellow advocates from across Alaska for peer learning and mutual support
• Prioritize well-being and sustainability in this emotionally demanding work

This conference is ideal for legal advocates working in shelters, crisis centers, and community organizations who support survivors in navigating protection orders, custody, court proceedings, and beyond.

Save the Date:

The next LAWS Conference will be held January 28–30 at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage.

For registration information or questions, please contact jmitchell@andvsa.org.

Join us in growing your impact, sharpening your skills, and reconnecting with the heart of this work.

Legal Education & Training

ANDVSA is committed to building a legal community that is informed, compassionate, and empowered to support survivors. Through ongoing legal education opportunities, we ensure that attorneys and legal professionals across Alaska are well-equipped to handle complex cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Our trainings emphasize the unique challenges survivors face and promote trauma-informed, survivor-centered approaches within the legal system. We offer webinars, workshops, and continuing legal education (CLE) sessions throughout the year—designed to build both foundational knowledge and advanced skills for attorneys working in this critical area.

One of our cornerstone offerings is our annual Pro Bono Attorney Training, a free CLE designed especially for new or returning volunteer attorneys.

This training provides:

• A foundational understanding of gender-based violence and its impact
• Trauma-informed advocacy techniques for working with survivors
• An introduction to Alaska family law, including protective orders, custody, and divorce
• Practical guidance on representing clients in court and supporting their long-term safety

By providing this education at no cost, we aim to remove barriers and grow a statewide network of legal professionals who are prepared to make a real difference. Whether you’re a seasoned attorney or just beginning to take pro bono cases, our legal education opportunities are here to support your journey in serving survivors with empathy, skill, and care.

Contact jmitchell@andvsa.org for any questions regarding SART Training opportunities.

Youth-Led Prevention: Empowering the Next Generation

At ANDVSA, we believe that young people are powerful agents of change. Our youth-led prevention program empowers young Alaskans to lead conversations, inspire action, and build safer, more equitable communities—starting with their own.

This program provides tools, training, and mentorship to help youth:

• Understand the root causes of violence, including power, oppression, and inequality
• Develop leadership skills and confidence to speak up and advocate for change
• Plan and lead projects that promote healthy relationships, consent, and community care
• Foster inclusive spaces where all youth feel heard, valued, and connected
• Engage peers and adults in meaningful dialogue about ending violence and building resilience

Whether it’s organizing awareness campaigns, hosting peer education workshops, or using art, storytelling, and activism as tools for change—Alaska’s youth are taking the lead. Through this program, we’re not only supporting the leaders of tomorrow—we’re listening to and uplifting the voices shaping a better future today.

“LeadOn provides students to have a voice and chance to speak up and learn from others. The connections and friendships being made are life changing and inspiring!” – LeadOn

Youth Empowerment | LeadOn | Alaska, USA – Lead On For Peace and Equality

Our Vision: Why We Do This Work

We imagine an Alaska where every community is safe, healthy, and thriving—where all Alaskans are supported by equitable systems and empowered to reach their full potential.

Our Mission: How We Get There

The ANDVSA Prevention Team partners with Alaskan communities to harness their wisdom, experiences, and strengths in restoring safety and wellness across the state.

Together, we work toward lasting change by:

• Listening with care and intention
• Encouraging self-reflection and exploration
• Facilitating honest, open dialogue
• Sharing tools, research, and best practices
• Offering ways for people and communities to engage in statewide DVSA prevention efforts
• Providing coaching, training, technical assistance, and peer support
• Strengthening statewide connections to grow a movement for social change in Alaska

Strangulation is one of the most dangerous—and often underestimated—forms of abuse in domestic and sexual violence cases. At ANDVSA, we provide specialized Strangulation Response Training to equip advocates, medical professionals, law enforcement, and legal partners with the tools they need to recognize, document, and respond effectively to strangulation incidents.

Our training covers:

• Medical indicators of strangulation, including delayed symptoms and invisible injuries
• Trauma-informed approaches for working with survivors who have experienced strangulation
• Best practices for evidence collection and documentation
• Legal considerations to strengthen prosecution and improve justice outcomes
• Safety planning and advocacy strategies that reflect the increased lethality risk

This training is essential for any responder working with survivors of domestic or sexual violence. By raising awareness and increasing skills around strangulation response, we help ensure that no warning sign goes unnoticed—and that survivors receive the support and protection they need.

Contact lwillis@andvsa.org for any questions regarding SART Training opportunities.