The Family Law and Victim Rights Unit

The Family Law and Victim Rights Unit at Pine Tree Legal Assistance provides statewide coverage for the civil legal needs of victim/survivors of sexual assault. In many areas of the state, the Family Law and Victim Rights Unit also provides civil legal services to victim/survivors of domestic violence.
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Consent and Maine Law

What is consent? Consent is when you give permission for something to happen. Consent is an important part of sex. A person’s consent to a sexual activity should be:
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Sexual Assault in the LGBTQ+ Community in Maine: You can get help

Sexual assault affects many members of the LGBTQ+ community. Many Maine organizations work to serve the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors.
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Child Sexual Abuse & Normal Child Sexual Behavior

How do I know if my child’s sexual behavior is normal or a sign of abuse?  As a caregiver, you may be worried about a child if they start displaying sexualized behaviors. Your instinct may be to think something has happened to the child, but that is not always the case. Some child sexualized behavior is healthy.
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Sexual Assault and Schools

If you (or your child) have been sexually assaulted at school, there are laws that can help protect you. One of the most important laws is called Title IX (Title Nine). Title IX says that schools that get federal funding cannot discriminate based on sex. This includes almost all elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. Title IX says that… More
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Can I get a protection from abuse order if I am a survivor of sexual assault?

Yes! Usually to get a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order, the abuser and survivor need to be family or household members or dating partners. Pine Tree Legal Assistance helps survivors of sexual assault get PFA orders across the state of Maine. Contact your local sexual assault advocacy center to connect to our services!

Maine Fair Housing Newsletter

The Fair Housing Newsletter is a publication of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, through the Fair Housing Initiative Program, Maine. It covers important fair housing information and developments, and highlights other fair housing resources.

Podcast: Religious Discrimination in Rental Housing

Listen to our podcast on religious discrimination in rental housing! This podcast talks about housing discrimination on the basis of religion. For decades in the United States, the Fair Housing Act has prohibited housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status and national origin. The Maine Human… More

Podcast: Harassment in Rental Housing

Listen to our podcast on harassment in rental housing! This podcast is about sexual harassment in rental housing and what to do if you believe that you have been harassed by your landlord, an employee of your landlord or another tenant.

Reasonable Accommodations for People with Disabilities

This podcast is about the right of people with disabilities to ask for exceptions to rental housing rules, so that they have equal opportunities to use and enjoy the housing. This right is protected by the Fair Housing Act and the Maine Human Rights Act.