Standpoint

Standpoint Standpoint's mission is to promote justice for domestic & sexual violence victims in Minnesota.

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 confidenti

ality, 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.

Are you looking for a reason to go out Wednesday evening? Here’s an idea 💡! Come join us for a fun evening.
04/21/2026

Are you looking for a reason to go out Wednesday evening? Here’s an idea 💡! Come join us for a fun evening.

Join us for a fun evening!
04/03/2026

Join us for a fun evening!

Standpoint has done a careful review of our mission, vision, and values, and determined that Meta does not align with ou...
02/14/2025

Standpoint has done a careful review of our mission, vision, and values, and determined that Meta does not align with our core values as an organization committed to creating positive change in our community. To stay up to date on the work we are doing, visit our website at www.standpointmn.org and sign up to receive our newsletter!

Image 1: Pink background with a red broken heart is in the center with black text "We're Breaking Up..." centered. Black text scattered around the heart reads "It's just not working out; We need some space; We've grown apart; It's not us, it's M*ta." On the bottom right, black text reads "But this isn't goodbye" with a red arrow pointing left.

Image 2: The same pink background with a completely whole red heart centered. Black text on the heart reads "Sign up for Standpoint's Newsletter!" Standpoint logo in the bottom left corner.

Join Bailey Hovland, staff attorney at Standpoint and former family law attorney, and Madeline Nelson, legal advocate at...
02/03/2025

Join Bailey Hovland, staff attorney at Standpoint and former family law attorney, and Madeline Nelson, legal advocate at Standpoint, for an informative overview of the divorce process in Minnesota. This webinar will cover issues such as spousal maintenance, division of marital and nonmarital assets, allocation of debts, domestic abuse, custody, parenting time, child support, and more. While advocates cannot always provide ongoing support throughout the lengthy divorce process, advocates can offer essential guidance on addressing abuse, safety planning with joint children, and advocating for a divorce decree that mitigates future abuse.

Image Description: Standpoint logo in top left corner. Below, text reads: "Webinar Available: Divorce 101. Topics include: spousal maintenance, division of marital and non-marital assets, allocation of debts, domestic abuse, custody and parenting time, child support, and more!" YouTube logo and on the bottom. Right side of the image is a light purple column with a graphic of broken wedding rings, a broken heart, and justice scales in blue. Text below this image reads "Bailey Hovland, Standpoint Staff Attorney; Madeline Nelson, Standpoint Legal Advocate."

Happy Lunar New Year from Standpoint!Image description: Red background with a gold border. Text reads " Happy Lunar New ...
01/29/2025

Happy Lunar New Year from Standpoint!

Image description: Red background with a gold border. Text reads " Happy Lunar New Year from Standpoint" Two snakes border the text.

Critical funding for domestic and sexual violence programs is at imminent risk due to the federal funding freeze. We nee...
01/29/2025

Critical funding for domestic and sexual violence programs is at imminent risk due to the federal funding freeze. We need your help TODAY to contact your U.S. Representatives. We urge our community members to reach out NOW to your Reps to express your grave concern about the devastating impacts this freeze will have on survivor safety.

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“Dear [Congressperson],

I am writing/calling from [Insert organization or geographic area]. We are writing to express our deep concern about President Trump’s effort to suspend all government funding. Not only does this encroach on the power given to you, Congress, under Article 1 of the Constitution, it would also have disastrous effects in your community and on the people you represent. If federal funding is suspended or eliminated, with no warning, [describe what would happen to survivors without the federal money].

We are calling on you to demonstrate leadership in resisting this unconstitutional action. Please know that domestic violence victims and survivors will be harmed with this order, and they will no longer have anywhere to go or be able to access the critical services they need and deserve.

We need your support to ensure that survivors of violence and the programs that serve them have access to funds that have been appropriated to them.”

Meet Sami! Sami is one of our Staff Attorneys. When you call our Action Line (Toll free: 800-313-2666) an advocate may s...
01/27/2025

Meet Sami! Sami is one of our Staff Attorneys. When you call our Action Line (Toll free: 800-313-2666) an advocate may suggest you speak to Sami. Sami (she/her) joined Standpoint in May 2024. She is a graduate of New York University School of Law and has focused her legal work on helping victim/survivors navigate the family court system. Prior to joining Standpoint, Sami worked at Central Minnesota Legal Services, where she represented survivors of domestic violence in family court proceedings including custody, divorce, and orders for protection. As a Staff Attorney at Standpoint, Sami provides legal advice and consultation on family law issues affecting victim/survivors.

Image Description: The background is half dark purple and half light purple. The dark purple side has white writing on it that says Meet the Staff Monday. Below a separation line is a description about how to reach Sami and what she may help you with. On the right is a photo of a woman smiling. Above the photo is her name in Teal and the Standpoint logo. Below is text in navy and purple with decorative stars surrounding the text.

Standpoint staff joined Violence Free Minnesota in honoring the lives lost due to intimate partner violence in 2024. Spe...
01/24/2025

Standpoint staff joined Violence Free Minnesota in honoring the lives lost due to intimate partner violence in 2024. Speakers reminded us that every person in every community has a voice and can work to end violence in their communities. We look forward to the day all are safe and we no longer gather to memorialize those we have lost.

Image 1: Purple background with white geometric pattern. Graphic of coral and white flowers with white text on top that says "Intimate Partner Homicide Memorial Friday, January 24, 2025. 10am-12:30pm at St. Paul College Club. Honoring the lives lost in 2024." Violence Free Minnesota logo in white, and Standpoint logo centered on the bottom.

Image 2: Four women standing with arms around each other smiling at the camera. They are all dressed in shades of black, purple, and white.

Did you know you can donate your old cell phones of any condition to Standpoint?? We will gladly take them from your han...
01/23/2025

Did you know you can donate your old cell phones of any condition to Standpoint?? We will gladly take them from your hands!

To donate, call 612-343-9842 or email [email protected] and you will be connected with someone who can assist you!

Image description: a purple and teal iPhone with an orange and pink background stating it is 1:30 on Thursday, January 23. There is a pop-up that says "reminder: you can donate old cell phones of any condition to Standpoint to help support our work!" The Standpoint logo is at the top.

We remember Kristi Joy Gardner, the first confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2025. Kristi was...
01/16/2025

We remember Kristi Joy Gardner, the first confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2025. Kristi was described as “an awesome nurse and kind friend” and “a wonderful person” who enjoyed cooking, gardening, and puzzles.
Learn more here: https://www.vfmn.org/we-remember-2025

Address

2324 University Avenue West Suite 103
Saint Paul, MN
55114

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16123439842

Website

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