The Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime Initiative (CLAVC) helps victims of crime throughout Massachusetts with their related civil legal problems — including family law, housing, immigration, disability rights, child welfare, education, consumer, identity theft, employment rights and public benefits.
Crime victims often experience difficult legal problems that can’t be solved through the criminal law system. For example, a victim of an assault may be unable to work, leading to financial distress including an eviction and debt collection problems. Or, a survivor of domestic violence may need legal help to get a divorce and child support.
The CLAVC Initiative is supported by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance through a Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. MOVA advocates for and assists victims of crime through survivor-informed policy development, fund administration, training, and individual assistance.
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and MLAC provide training, support and overall CLAVC project coordination.
Nine CLAVC-funded civil legal aid organizations provide direct legal service:
• Community Legal Aid
• De Novo
• Greater Boston Legal Services
• MetroWest Legal Services
• Northeast Legal Aid
• South Coastal Counties Legal Services
• Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts
• Disability Law Center
• Victim Rights Law Center
Need Help? 
If you are the victim of a crime and need legal help, please visit the CLAVC website to learn how to apply for assistance.