Regent Law student Abigail Skeans has had a heart for justice and the rule of law since childhood. Abigail has witnessed the effects of a “broken system” and wanted to do something to help kids who desperately need advocates to protect them when the law does not. After coming to Regent Law, Abigail was put in touch with an organization called Sixty Feet, a group created to bring hope and restoration to the imprisoned children of Uganda in Jesus’ name by addressing juvenile justice issues. Sixty Feet provides infrastructure development, counseling and medical services, shares the gospel message, and works for justice reform. After completing her 1L year, Abigail knew she wanted to “use the professional, personal, and spiritual tools that I have acquired to advocate on behalf of these children and speak into their lives with the healing power that only Christ can provide.”
During her time in Uganda, Abigail was part of a pilot program that utilized resources from participating organizations to introduce new methods of resolving cases, reducing the backlog on the court system which frequently caused long delays for the children awaiting trial. As part of the program, Abigail assisted in training lawyers and judges on plea bargaining agreements, instructed the social welfare and probation officers on how to effectively counsel the juveniles and provided multiple opportunities for advocacy to the various branches of the government on the importance of greater attention to the juvenile justice system. Abigail agreed to develop an electronic database system which she will work on throughout the year until her return to Uganda next summer to continue the pursuit of justice for children in that country.
Abigail notes that her experience this summer “can provide student insight into the various organizations working in the region on rule of law programs.” Building on her internship, Abigail is looking forward and already intends to return in the summer of 2013 where she hopes she will be able, “to expand and implement this program to the other juvenile detention facilities throughout the country to provide the children with greater access to justice.”
Read more about Abby’s work here:
Regent Law Life in Photos: Spotlight on Abby Skeans, 2L
Law Student Abigail Skeans Serving in Uganda
Center for Global Justice Intern – Abigail Skeans – Regent University. Center for Global Justice®