Domestic Violence Programs Across the Nation Are Witnessing Transformational Changes

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Stewart

Telephone: 513-479-3335

Domestic Violence Programs Across the Nation Are Witnessing Transformational Changes

WASHINGTON / November 9, 2021 – Lawmakers and policy-makers across the country are approving laws and initiatives that portend major changes to how domestic violence is addressed. The trend began with the historic “Moment of Truth” statement, endorsed by 46 state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, that expressed regret for the movement’s over-emphasis on “increased policing, prosecution, and imprisonment as the primary solution” to domestic violence (1).

A broad range of bipartisan legislative and programmatic initiatives have been launched that are consistent with the Moment of Truth statement:

Nationwide:

The MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge is working to reduce jail incarceration by promoting diversion programs, second-look hearings, bail reform, drug treatment, re-entry programs, and mental health services (2).
Most states now allow for the use of civil citations as an alternative to making an arrest for domestic violence (3).
Police officers increasingly are utilizing “deflection” approaches that are designed to reduce arrest (4). Such deflection methods are being employed in more than 250 jurisdictions across the country (5).
The conservative-leaning Right on Crime has issued several reports on the need for diversion programs (6) and other criminal justice reforms.
The National Association of Social Workers recently published a report on Pre-Arrest Diversion that encourages the involvement of social workers and other mental health professionals in domestic violence 911 calls (7).

California: The recently enacted Community Response Initiative to Strengthen Emergency Systems Act, AB-2054 which passed on a near-unanimous vote, will allocate funds to expand community-based alternatives to policing. A significant part of these monies will go to organizations working to address intimate partner violence outside of the criminal system (8).

Illinois: The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence helped shape the Pretrial Fairness Act, HB 3653, which seeks to minimize persons’ involvement with the criminal system (9). The bill was signed into law on February 22, 2021.

Massachusetts: The 10 to 10 Helpline offers support and de-escalation assistance for male and female abusive partners who want to change their behavior. The Helpline is also available to family members, friends, and professionals who want to help someone stop using abuse (10).

Vermont: The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence issued a report calling for an acceleration of the state’s commitment to procedural justice reforms, and a recommendation to “Expand victims voice and voluntary participation in current restorative justice processes.” (11)

Washington State: Many states mandate one-size-fits-all Batterer Intervention Programs that lack evidence of effectiveness (12). But in Washington State, the type of treatment is based on a formal risk assessment and is tailored to the needs of the individual (13).

The importance of these efforts was affirmed by Sen. Patrick Leahy, who last month called for the federal Violence Against Women Act to embrace restorative justice principles (14).

In support of these efforts, the Coalition to End Domestic Violence recently issued a report on “Diversion Programs for Domestic Violence: From Retribution to Rehabilitation.” The report features a summary of 18 DV diversion programs in operation across the country (15).

CEDV urges federal and state lawmakers to enthusiastically support these initiatives and incorporate their tenets into upcoming legislative proposals.

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