Survivor Justice Center Executive Director, Carmen McDonald, was interviewed by Lisa Foxx on the iHeart SoCal Show to talk about our services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking. Thank you Lisa and iHeart Radio for helping us spread awareness and support for survivors!
Listen to the full segment:
The Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice is now the Survivor Justice Center! Learn more about our name change.
Before I reached out to Survivor Justice Center, I was nervous and scared. Although my daughter had secured asylum, I hadn’t been able to. The potential of being detained and deported loomed over me every day. When I tried to navigate the immigration process alone, I was overwhelmed. Everything felt stacked against me.
My daughter’s attorney suggested I visit Survivor Justice Center for help with my immigration case. And I thank God that I got in touch with Survivor Justice Center because they changed my life.
Survivor Justice Center first helped me file for a U Visa, as I am a survivor of domestic violence. It was an incredibly complicated process, involving going back to a Judge who had originally overseen my restraining order hearing. But my attorney made this process easier, helping me understand the complex requirements and provided reassurance that I was doing everything correctly.
As I waited to hear back about my U Visa application, new challenges emerged. I faced a removal order, which reignited my fears of deportation. I struggled with my mental health. Survivor Justice Center staff checked in with me frequently and connected me to community resources. Even when there were no updates in my case, they continued to make sure I was secure in other areas of my life.
After years of waiting for a response, I was told my U Visa was denied. It was disappointing to hear that I was back where I had started. But again, Survivor Justice Center was with me, and with their support, I appealed the decision.
Although they told me it was rare to get an appeal approved, I was hopeful. I knew that they were doing everything in their power to keep me safe. I trusted God with what was happening.
Almost a decade after I initially filed, my U Visa was approved. I felt immediate relief. After years of worrying about being deported, I was able to take a deep breath. Finally, I was safe.
My next goal is to travel home and see my family, who I haven’t seen in 24 years. I also want to become a legal permanent resident, the next step in my immigration journey.
If Survivor Justice Center hadn’t helped me, I’m not sure what my life would look like right now. Maybe I would have searched for another way, but I don’t like to think about what could have happened. For now, I am grateful that my family is well and we are all able to be together without fear or uncertainty. I thank God for the support I received from Survivor Justice Center.
*Name changed to protect client privacy.
“Use what you have and do what you can,” says Genaro Trejo, a long-time donor and supporter of Survivor Justice Center. Though neither Jacqueline nor Genaro is an attorney, the Trejo family has found a way to use their own strengths to support justice for all survivors.
Jacqueline was originally introduced to Survivor Justice Center through Jimena Vasquez, our Director of Legal Services. Jacqueline works closely with survivors and underrepresented women as an OBGYN. She applied to be on the Board of Directors and was voted in in March 2023.
Genaro, her husband, had a different connection. As the son of immigrants, he found himself overwhelmed when he had to assist them with legal issues. Getting an attorney was difficult and it was challenging to fully understand the different solutions and pathways. However, Genaro also saw how much of an advocate an attorney can be. When he heard about Survivor Justice Center, he recognized the importance of our services and wanted to be involved.
In the past 3 years, the Trejos have seen Survivor Justice Center grow monumentally. Jacqueline has been pivotal in helping the Board tap into different resources, while staying financially sound.
Genaro, who serves on the Leadership Council and advises the finance committee, has encouraged Survivor Justice Center to make strong financial decisions and allocate resources effectively, especially during times of financial uncertainty.
They’ve also supported multiple events including the 50th Anniversary Gala and Tee Up for Survivors in 2024, as well as participating in the Empower Run in 2025 (Jacqueline’s first 5K!). However, they both said the highlight of every event is hearing about the impact of our services directly from our clients.
For the Trejos, what sets Survivor Justice Center apart is its commitment to staying with survivors for the long haul. For many survivors, especially those seeking immigration relief, cases can extend for years, sometimes decades. Through the whole process, the Survivor Justice Center staff is there to connect our clients with lifesaving resources.
As Genaro explains, “I think in a time like this, where it seems like so many service providers are fractured and affected, it’s important to provide continuity. When providing legal services that can expand over years, it’s essential to continue providing that service for that entire time period.”
For nearly 7 years, Jones Day has played an essential role in providing criminal record relief, or vacatur, to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Many survivors carry criminal records caused by abuse and coercion. Even after they leave their abuser, their criminal record poses huge challenges in getting a job, obtaining housing, or accessing resources. Vacatur clears these convictions, removing barriers so survivors can rebuild their lives.
In nearly two dozen cases, Jones Day has helped all clients avoid a hearing and be granted vacatur. In one case, the client was facing an outstanding warrant, further complicating the case. Attorneys at Jones Day worked with the client’s public defender to resolve the outstanding warrant and secure vacatur. Thanks to their work, the survivor had two enormous barriers removed.
Jones Day has also supported other attorneys providing vacatur support, creating a toolkit, filled with samples, proposed orders, and a step-by-step guide. When other pro bono counsels have questions, they’re quick to provide expert guidance.
Along with vacatur, Jones Day also aids survivors with temporary restraining orders (TROs) and domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs).
For Jones Day, providing pro bono services is integral to the firm. Through their partnership with Survivor Justice Center, they encourage associates to take on pro bono cases and are there to provide support when it’s needed.
Nick Rawls, an associate who has assisted with multiple cases for Survivor Justice Center, says he’s thankful for the opportunity to provide his services to people who need it most.
He recalled a story where, after delivering the closing argument for a DVRO case, the client pulled him aside. She told him that no matter the verdict, she was thankful that the Jones Day team had taken the time to not just understand her, but to fight for her.
“It’s both professionally and personally extremely rewarding to work on these cases. It’s a chance to be good at what you do while doing good,” he said. “It’s really meaningful to provide work with people on an individual level and provide services to someone who needs help.”
Recent changes to California’s coerced debt law allowed us to expand our services and support survivors facing consumer debt challenges. If a debt is deemed coerced, the debtor may not be held responsible for repayment. Survivors often incur coerced debt from their abusers, through things like identity theft or credit card fraud.
With the help of our pro bono attorneys from Akin Gump and City National Bank, we hosted 2 clinics where current clients could receive individualized advice on their debts and determine whether any qualified as coerced. Clients often have complicated credit histories with multiple debts and accounts, making it difficult to determine what qualifies and what doesn’t. The expertise of our pro bono partners gave survivors clarity, guidance, and concrete next steps towards financial stability.
We’re continuing to expand our consumer debt services, including offering bankruptcy guidance to survivors who need it, ensuring they have a pathway to rebuild financially and move forward with greater security.
In partnership with Los Angeles County and SHIELDS for Families, we launched a new initiative that supports families under investigation, with a focus on survivors of domestic violence. This program is the result of years of advocacy and collaborations; together with Public Counsel and Neighborhood Legal Services Los Angeles we’ve created an effective system that places survivors and their families at the center.
The program was created to reduce dependency cases, especially in cases of domestic violence. If a child witnesses domestic violence in their home, family members, including survivors of the domestic violence incident, can be charged with failure to protect. Survivors can face this criminal charge, which often has devastating consequences, including children potentially being separated and placed into foster care. The challenges make accessing justice even more difficult for survivors, compounding the trauma they already face.
Through Keeping Families Together, DCFS initially refers parents to SHIELDS, who provides direct support on a wide range of needs. If it is determined that either parent needs legal support, they are referred to us or another trusted legal aid partner.
Every October we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and, this year, we expanded our programming and hosted our first annual Purple Thursday celebration. The event brought together community members and supporters, while celebrating the work of our staff and partners to serve survivors and end domestic violence.
We hosted educational webinars with the LA County Bar Association and LA Law Library, covering a variety of family law topics. In addition, we offered a training with the Director of Family Violence Legislation at the City Attorney’s Office. We were also honored for our work with special recognition from the Office of Congressman Jimmy Gomez—our first recognition as Survivor Justice Center.
As our only peer-to-peer fundraising effort, DVAM relies heavily on community involvement. Thanks to our dedicated supporters, we raised over $65,000, ensuring domestic violence survivors have access to free legal representation and the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Survivor Justice Center was honored by Peace Over Violence with the Use Your Voice award in April. This award recognizes exceptional advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and marginalized communities.
As a decades-long partner with Peace Over Violence, united in our mission of securing safety for survivors, we were honored to receive this award. Standing alongside other trailblazers and pioneers was inspiring. We continue to work with domestic violence service providers across Los Angeles County to provide survivors with the comprehensive support they need.
In March, we hosted our 5th Annual Empower Run at Dodger Stadium in partnership with the LA 5K. Having grown to become our second largest fundraiser, over 100 Survivor Justice Center runners, walkers, and supporters joined us as we enjoyed a scenic course through Elysian Park. The family-friendly race provides an opportunity for even our youngest supporters to show out for Survivor Justice Center.
Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we raised over $35,000. These funds provide survivors with legal representation and supportive services, as they take control of their lives and build their own futures.
As part of a year’s long process, we reached the final stages of a huge rebranding project that transformed Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice into Survivor Justice Center. This change reflects our continued growth, while centering survivors, who remain the heart of our mission. Although we knew this would be a long, and sometimes challenging, process, we considered it imperative to present ourselves as a valuable resource to survivors in need.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without our partners, clients, donors, funders, volunteers, current staff and board members, as well as staff and Board of Directors alumni. Our community provided valuable feedback and guidance during this process, making this truly a team effort.
We also unveiled a new logo, a fresh take on our original logo. Retaining the bridge iconography and signature orange of our past, Survivor Justice Center’s new look incorporates both historic and modern elements.
When we originally began this project, our goal was to reinforce our commitment to survivors and to providing lifesaving support in and out of the courtroom. Although our name and logo changed, our dedication to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking remains the same. With this renewed identity, we step boldly into the future, committed to advancing justice and safety for all survivors.
Survivors of domestic violence rarely get to tell the whole truth of what it takes to stay alive.
For me, it meant walking away from everything I owned—family photos, clothing, even my support system—because the person who hurt me was a police officer who always knew where to find me. I hid in silence, unable to visit loved ones—never knowing if he was lurking around the corner, watching whenever I went to a friend’s or family member’s house.
The court system added another layer of danger. My abuser played the legal system like a chess game—planning each move to stay one step ahead and trap me. He filed false police reports and used the law as a weapon, moving his pieces until I lost custody of my own daughter.
The first time I sought a restraining order, the judge gave him custody and told me to go back and co-parent. I knew it wasn’t safe. To protect both of us, I made the heart-wrenching decision to walk away from my little girl, even as every instinct told me to hold on.
That could have been the end of my story.
But the Survivor Justice Center became my counter-move. They didn’t just hand me a brochure or a website link—they stood beside me. They connected me with an extraordinary pro bono legal team from Gibson Dunn, the true superstars of the courtroom. My case stretched on for almost two years, yet I never paid a single dime. Their expertise and relentless advocacy gave me the strength and the strategy to keep fighting until we won.
Because of their support, I secured a five-year restraining order, full custody of my daughter, a confidential address, and even a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)—a legal step many people never think they’ll need. Five months after our divorce was finalized, my former spouse passed away. By then, every safeguard we fought for was already in place, proving how essential those protections were.
The Survivor Justice Center believed in me so deeply that they asked me to stand with them on CNN, joining their effort to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to strengthen gun-reform protections for survivors of domestic violence. Sharing my story on that national stage turned my pain into purpose and helped push for change that can save lives.
They treated me with unwavering respect and empowered me to speak when my voice was nearly stripped away. With their guidance, I rebuilt a stable home and a new life.
They didn’t just help me heal—they helped me fight. What once felt like silence became a platform for change.
Today I stand not only as a survivor but as a force for others still trapped in their darkest night. My journey is proof that even when the game feels rigged, survivors can still win.
