When Justice Costs Too Much: A Call for Legal Reform

It’s hard enough to survive trauma. It’s harder still to find your voice, speak your truth, and begin the long, vulnerable process of seeking justice. But imagine taking those brave steps, only to be turned away at the door of justice, not because your story lacks merit, but because your abuser doesn’t have enough assets. The conversation was more about the value of his business and properties than the one who survived this monster on the other end of the phone line.

That’s what happened to me.

During multiple legal consultations, the first question I was asked wasn’t about what happened or what I needed. It was, "Is the defendant an institution or an individual?" The moment I said it was my stepfather, the tone would shift. I was no longer a survivor seeking justice, I was a risk to their bottom line.

The legal system and many firms within it have made it clear. If the perpetrator doesn’t come with deep pockets, they’re not interested. Survivors are literally being assessed for profitability, not pain.

This is the unspoken red tape of justice.

Lawyers are taught to uphold justice. But somewhere along the way, advocacy took a back seat to profitability. Institutions with large settlements make attractive clients. Survivors without financial gain attached? Not so much...

To be clear, I understand the cost of litigation. But when money becomes the metric by which a victim’s worthiness is measured, we’ve lost sight of the very purpose of the law.

Survivors deserve representation regardless of the payout.

I’m calling on law firms to rethink how they do business. Let your legacy be built on the lives you changed, not just the checks you cashed. Create a division that takes on pro bono abuse cases. Allocate a portion of your yearly intake to support victims whose perpetrators can’t be found on the Forbes list.

We need an Advocate Directory for survivors. A network of lawyers who care about justice, not just judgment awards.

To any attorneys reading this, if you entered law to make a difference, here is your moment.

Let’s be the shift. Let’s be the voice. Let’s be S.A.V.E.

Call to Action: If you are an attorney or legal professional who believes in survivor-first representation, join the S.A.V.E. Advocate Directory. Together, we can create a lifeline of legal support for those who have already endured enough.

- Samira Jones

Join the Advocate Directory