A movement to treat domestic violence as a public safety issue rather than a private family matter spawned a wave of reform, culminating in the Violence Against Women Act in the 1994 federal Crime Bill. Mandatory arrest policies, in particular, have been widely adopted over the past several decades.
However, research suggests these laws may not deter domestic violence as intended and may inadvertently draw survivors into the criminal justice system. Moving forward, how can we ensure new approaches work to interrupt domestic violence, hold abusers accountable, and protect survivors?
The Council on Criminal Justice’s Women’s Justice Commission and a panel of experts examined the complex impact of domestic violence policing and explored promising strategies to improve safety, accountability, and justice for women.
Panelists
Loretta Lynch, Former U.S. Attorney General and Chair, CCJ’s Women’s Justice Commission
Courtney Bryan, Executive Director, Center for Justice Innovation
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Harris County, Texas
Leigh Goodmark, Associate Dean and Professor of Law, University of Maryland
- Stephanie Kennedy (moderator), Policy Director, Council on Criminal Justice
