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Listen "“We Believe You” - Representing Survivors of Sexual Assault at the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence"
Episode Synopsis
Envisioning a justice system that promotes empowered recovery, the Survivor Law Clinic provides civil legal services to survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking with a focus on ensuring their privacy, safety and stability. The clinic provides holistic services, addressing the survivors’ legal needs while offering emotional/trauma support and connections to other community resources. Johanna Kononen, Director of Law and Policy, joins us to discuss the clinic’s legal work and wraparound services for survivors as well as challenges both attorneys and clients face in the path toward justice.
Johanna Kononen, JD, (she/her/hers) is the Director of Law and Policy at MCEDSV. Johanna has practiced law for over 15 years. She supervises the Survivor Law Clinic which provides direct legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Johanna also leads MCEDSV’s multidisciplinary policy team working to advance legislation and policies that support survivors throughout the state. She has been an active part of MCEDSV’s nonprofit management efforts, supporting member programs with their policy, employment, and legal questions. Johanna’s undergraduate degree was in nursing, and she started her legal career representing survivors in family law litigation under a DOJ Legal Assistance for Victims grant at legal aid. Johanna later moved to private practice, and throughout her career has continued to work on complex domestic violence cases.
Becca Zarras, JD, (she/her/hers) is a Staff Attorney at MCEDSV’s Survivor Law Clinic in Detroit. She provides holistic legal services to survivors of sexual assault including personal protection orders, public benefits, economic security & credit restoration, education & housing advocacy, crime victim compensation, family law, and expungement. Becca has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Affordable Legal Services Committee since 2022. She is the current Recording Secretary for the WLAM Wayne Region. In her spare time, Becca enjoys playing guitar and gardening.
Find out more about the Survivor Law Clinic at https://mcedsv.org/survivor-law/.
Contact Johanna at [email protected]. Contact Becca at [email protected].
Learn more about WLAM on our website and on our social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email [email protected].
Johanna Kononen, JD, (she/her/hers) is the Director of Law and Policy at MCEDSV. Johanna has practiced law for over 15 years. She supervises the Survivor Law Clinic which provides direct legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Johanna also leads MCEDSV’s multidisciplinary policy team working to advance legislation and policies that support survivors throughout the state. She has been an active part of MCEDSV’s nonprofit management efforts, supporting member programs with their policy, employment, and legal questions. Johanna’s undergraduate degree was in nursing, and she started her legal career representing survivors in family law litigation under a DOJ Legal Assistance for Victims grant at legal aid. Johanna later moved to private practice, and throughout her career has continued to work on complex domestic violence cases.
Becca Zarras, JD, (she/her/hers) is a Staff Attorney at MCEDSV’s Survivor Law Clinic in Detroit. She provides holistic legal services to survivors of sexual assault including personal protection orders, public benefits, economic security & credit restoration, education & housing advocacy, crime victim compensation, family law, and expungement. Becca has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Affordable Legal Services Committee since 2022. She is the current Recording Secretary for the WLAM Wayne Region. In her spare time, Becca enjoys playing guitar and gardening.
Find out more about the Survivor Law Clinic at https://mcedsv.org/survivor-law/.
Contact Johanna at [email protected]. Contact Becca at [email protected].
Learn more about WLAM on our website and on our social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email [email protected].
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