Sami Sexton

Standpoint (formerly Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Project) is a state-wide program that serves domestic and sexual violence victims, their advocates, attorneys and the general public in Minnesota. Standpoint provides legal information, consultation, state-wide training, litigation support, technical assistance and develops model policy for domestic and sexual violence programs around confidentiality, record keeping, conflict of interest and children's records, to name a few. We are a unique agency that advocates for system change, advocates to secure access to justice and, advocates to improve the legal system's response to domestic and sexual violence. We exist to respond effectively to the constantly evolving legal needs of domestic and sexual violence victims and we are the first resource people turn to in a legal crisis. Standpoint recognizes the importance of an effective and skilled advocate to support domestic and sexual violence victims. Standpoint takes a leadership role in several state-wide collaborative efforts to address the legal and community needs of domestic and sexual violence victims. We have a strong collaborative relationship with numerous domestic and sexual violence organizations, legal advocacy programs, and legal service providers in Minnesota. Standpoint often collaborates in a variety of ways from policy to legal actions. However, we are the only statewide agency that provides on the spot, free legal advice, consultation, and technical assistance to domestic and sexual violence victims, domestic and sexual violence advocates, attorneys and other systems professionals.