Resources

Propositions: Survivors and Substance Use

The following excerpts from social science literature may help attorneys and other practitioners better understand the intersection of intimate partner…

Thirty Years of VAWA and Full Faith and Credit

Please join the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit (NCPOFFC) in celebrating 30 years since the…

2024 Domestic Violence and Firearms Report

Between March and April 2024, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline), in partnership with the Battered Women’s Justice Project…

Firearms Relinquishment in Cases Involving Intimate Partner Violence: How to Structure Effective Protocols For Your Community

The intersection of intimate partner violence and firearms violence is all too often lethal. Research shows that requiring a person…

Promising Practices: Federal-State-Local Coordinated Justice System Responses To Domestic Violence And Firearms

Effective enforcement of the federal domestic violence firearms prohibitions hinge on the actions and records of local systems. Implementation of…

Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors Fact Sheet

Prevalence rates of intimate partner violence remain alarmingly high, putting countless survivors at risk every day. This fact sheet provides…

Systems Change and Advocacy Fact Sheet

Prevalence rates of intimate partner violence remain alarmingly high, putting countless survivors at risk every day. Discover how we drive…

The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Custody Fact Sheet

Prevalence rates of intimate partner violence remain alarmingly high, putting countless survivors at risk every day. Navigating child custody cases…

The Realities of Protection Orders and Full Faith and Credit Fact Sheet

Prevalence rates of intimate partner violence remain alarmingly high, putting countless survivors at risk every day. Research highlights the protective…

Gun Violence Fact Sheet

The National Center on Gun Violence in Relationships works to prevent domestic violence-related homicides involving firearms.  We work with communities…

BWJP FY2023 Impact Report  

Dear Friends,  Welcome to BWJP’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 annual report! In the last year, we have expanded our team…

The Guardian ad Litem Bulletin: June 2024

There are many options and interventions Guardians ad Litem (GALs) can recommend to minimize risk to children (as well as…

Basic Propositions: Memory

This memo contains excerpts from social science literature about the impacts of trauma on survivors’ ability to recall the details…

Guilty Pleas

If you are a defendant deciding whether to take a plea bargain, you may have lots of questions. You may…

Research at the Intersection of IPV and Firearms

Prevalence rates of both intimate partner violence and gun violence remain pervasive. Research demonstrates a lethal association when intimate partner…

Firearm Checklist for Attorneys

This checklist provides information for attorneys facilitating a discussion with survivors about firearms. It also provides key information on the…

S.A.F.E. Tool

The SAFE tool will assist survivors with evaluating if, when, how, and for what period they may want to request…

A Brief History and Framework of Federal Firearms Laws Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

Federal law provides a framework to keep guns out of the hands of those who perpetrate domestic violence. Those laws…

The New Misdemeanor Dating Violence Federal Firearms Prohibition

In 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act partially closed what has sometimes been referred to as the “boyfriend loophole,” by…

“OFFICIAL USE” Exemption, Allowing Firearms Possession by Law Enforcement and Military Personnel

The Gun Control Act (GCA) prohibits persons subject to certain qualifying protection orders from possessing or receiving firearms and/or ammunition.…

Firearm Checklist for Judges – 18 USC 922 (g)(8)

This checklist for judges provides key information on the federal Gun Control Act provisions prohibiting the purchase, transport or possession…

Interstate Child Custody Tool Series

 The Interstate Child Custody Tool Series provides an overview of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction…

Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Toolkit

This Extreme Risk Protection Order Toolkit is for practitioners who work with survivors in civil protection order systems. The toolkit…

Understanding the Difference Between A Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) and an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)

By The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms  Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Extreme Risk Protection Orders…

Serving Military-Connected Victims/Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Serving Military-Connected Victims/Survivors of Domestic Abuse. This written resource, which is available in English and in Spanish, includes a military-connected domestic abuse checklist; a series of…

Wheel of Intimate Partner Power and Control in the African American/Black Community

A significant gathering of individuals, stories and information led to the development of the Wheel of Intimate Partner Power and…

The Guardian ad Litem Bulletin- December 2023

Stay up to date with GAL best practices with our Guardian ad Litem Bulletin: December 2023. What’s coercive control and…

Justice-Involved Victims of Battering with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Co-Occuring Disorders – Internet Resources

Working with Arrested, Charged, Incarcerated, and Returning LGBTQ People – Internet Resources

Reentering Youth and/or Youth with Juvenile Justice Involvment – Internet Resources

Women Living With HIV/AIDS and Histories of Criminal Justice Contact – Internet Resources

Incarcerated Women’s Health and Health Insurance for Reentering People – Internet Resources

Documentary Films about Incarceration and Reentry

Children and Family Reunification for Reentering People – Internet Resources

Employment Issues and Efforts for Reentering People – Internet Resources

Evidence-Based Reentry Practices for Justice-Involved Women – Internet Resources

Working With Incarcerated and Reentering Women: Curricula and Resources for Individual and Group Work

The Impact of Parental Kidnapping Laws and Practice on Domestic Violence Survivors

Petitioning for Funds for Domestic Violence Expert Witnesses in Defense Cases

Got Justice? Options for Prosecutors When Battered Women Fight Back

Plea Bargains

Domestic Violence Expert Witnesses: Overcoming Challenges in Battered Women’s Self-Defense Cases

When Community-Based Advocates Testify as Experts: Understanding and Explaining Trauma and its Effects

Domestic Violence Expert Witnesses: Immigration Proceedings

Domestic Violence Expert Witnesses: Tips to Help Prepare for your First Case

Advocates as Expert Witnesses: Weighing Benefits and Drawbacks

Domestic Violence Expert Testimony: Legal Settings and Issues

The Use of Expert Testimony on Battering and Its Effects in Criminal Cases: Examining Case Law from 1994-2016

Working With Battered Women in Jail: A Manual for Community-Based Battered Women’s Advocates

https://www.ncdbw.org/advocacy-services-victim-defendants

Issues to Consider When Facilitating Groups with Battered Women in Jail or Prison

A Toolkit for Systems Advocacy on Behalf of Victims of Battering Charged with Crimes

NRCDVF Brand and Website Redesign – RFP

 Request for Proposal: Website Redesign & Development  This RFP is for design and development services for a new brand and…

Myths and Misconceptions: Criminalized Survivors

by the National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors October 2023 Myths and misconceptions about domestic violence and victims of intimate…

BWJP 2022 Impact Report  

Dearest Friends of BWJP,  We’ve been busy! In the last eighteen months, we have experienced a significant transformation and many…

How Organizations Can Support Staff Who Are Survivors of GBV  

Supporting survivors of intimate partner violence in the workplace is crucial for their physical and emotional well-being. Providing them with…

NLCCDV and How Survivor Mothers Have to Navigate Family Court 

by the National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence Survivors of intimate partner violence who are also mothers face…

Evidence of Battering and the Defense of Duress

by the National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors March 2023 Lay and expert evidence on battering and its effectsi is…

Safety Envelope: NCPOFFC

 The National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit (NCPOFFC), a project of the Battered Women’s Justice Project…

NCPOFFC Full Faith and Credit Matrix

Updated July 2022  This document is for informational purposes only. Nothing contained in this document is intended as legal advice…

Firearms and Domestic Violence: A Summary of Pivotal Cases Decided by the United States Supreme Court

by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms January 2023 This resource contains summaries of significant Supreme Court…

Survivors with Concurrent Criminal Charges & Civil Protection Cases: Considerations for Community Based Advocates & Civil Advocates

 by Cindene Pezzell, Esq. and Quetita Cavero, Esq.  Updated 2022 Overview  There are many situations in which victims of battering…

Deaf Survivors Report

 Designing IPV Risk Assessments with Deaf Communities: Initial Considerations  Written by Anton Tripolskii, J, edited by Kristine Lizdas, JD and…

Fundamental Principles of Institutional Analysis

Institutional Analysis at BWJP redesigns systems to center the interests of gender-based violence survivors.

Report of the Henry County, Ohio Child Custody and Domestic Violence Safety and Accountability Audit

The Henry County, Ohio Child Custody and Domestic Violence Safety and Accountability Audit (“Ohio Audit”) examines how the local family…

Knoxville Community Safety Assessment

How are DV Offenders Held Accountable in Knoxville and Knox County Justice System Interventions?

VAWA Title XV – Follow the Money

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was reauthorized on March 15, 2022. Within VAWA is Title XV, titled“Keeping Children Safe…

10 Cosas Que Debe Saber Sobre el Tribunal Familiar

Self Represented Litigants Series

10 Maneras de Encontrar Ayuda para su caso

Self Represented Litigants Series

10 Pasos para Presentar Evidencia en la corte

Self Represented Litigants Series

Como Reunir Evidencia Tecnologica de Maltrato para la corte

Self Represented Litigants Series

Getting Child Support When You Are Afraid of the Other Parent

Self Represented Litigants Series

10 Ways to Find Help with Your Case

Self Represented Litigants Series

10 Steps for Presenting Evidence in Court

Self Represented Litigants Series

10 Things to Know About Family Court

Self Represented Litigants Series

10 Things to Know About Parenting Plans in Cases Involving DV

Self Represented Litigants Series

How to Gather Technology Abuse for Court

Self Represented Litigants Series

How to Navigate Custody Mediation in Cases Involving DV

Self Represented Litigants Series

Things to Know About Child Protection and DV

Self Represented Litigants Series

Coercive Control Codification Brief: A Guide for Advocates and Coalitions

There is an important conversation happening throughout the country. Advocates and survivors are actively debating whether and to what degree…

Recommended Reading List for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Below are reading recommendations by the author Lundy Bancroft.Lundy has spent the last thirty years of his career specializing in…

Coercive Control Codification Matrix

Updated through the 2023 state legislative sessions, this document is a compilation of state statutes that incorporate "coercive control" language…

Getting Child Support When the Co-parent is Abusive – Palm Card

This printable is a guide on how to get child support when the co-parent is abusive. This project was supported…

Improving the Response to Firearms in Civil Protection Order Cases

This Community Strategy challenges communities to safeguard domestic violence survivors, their children, and others from firearms violence through the civil…

Adapting Trauma-Informed Lawyering Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Child-Related Relief in Orders for Protection

Funding for this project was made available through the US Department of Health and Human Services, Grant #90EVO44O

Offender Criteria / Response / Victim Series

The High Point Police Department has been applying the evidence-based focused deterrence approach to the problem of intimate partner violence…

Custody Flow Chart

Published by: Tamara Kuennen This child custody flow chart assists practitioners in determining which court has initial jurisdiction to determine…

National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence: Covid-19 Fact Sheet

Campus No Contact Order and Civil Protection Orders: An Examination

Background: Sexual assault and intimate partner violence are prevalent in the student population of higher education campuses. Almost one in four…

Coordinated Community Response Report

Published by: Sujata Warrier (Chief Strategy Officer), and Kristine Lizdas (Legal Policy Director) At its core, a Coordinated Community Response…

Guardians at Litem – A SAFeR Approach to Enhancing Domestic Violence Practice

The webinar series is supported by grant no. 2020-TA-AX-K012 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of…

Violence Against Women Act “No Fee” Toolkit

The Violence Against Women Act prohibits jurisdictions that receive funding under the STOP (Services * Training * Officers* Prosecutors) Violence…

Violence Against Women Act “No Fee” Toolkit – Combined K046

SAFeR: An Approach That is Right for the Moment

In our grant report, we emphasize the importance of BWJP's SAFeR approach to our current moment. As we face increasing…

Assisting Survivors With Their Pets During the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond

Published by: Zoë Agnew-Svoboda, Nancy Blaney, Melinda D. Merck, Mary Lou Randour The lives and safety of survivors and their…

Tools for Advocates Responding to Covid-19 and Domestic Violence

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased danger for survivors of domestic violence in the past few months. Governmental “stay at…

Coercive Control During Covid-19

As COVID-19 spreads across the globe and into our homes, domestic abusers are finding new ways to exercise coercive control.…

Protection Order Service Checklist

Proper service of protection orders is not only critical to hold respondents and offenders who violate them accountable but also…

Protection Orders and Working with People with Disabilities

The Protection Orders and Working with People with Disabilities tip sheet is a tool that attorneys, advocates, and others can familiarize themselves…

SAFeR Mediation Discussion Guide

The SAFeR Mediation Discussion Guide is designed to help survivors, advocates, attorneys, mediators, judges, and others talk about whether a…

Accounting for Abuse in Orders of Protection

This protection order guide is designed to help survivors, advocates, attorneys, and judges consider the range of behaviors the respondent has…

SAFeR Approach to Decision Making in Domestic Related Child Custody Disputes

SAFeR can be used by anyone, including parties, in any family court proceeding. SAFeR consists of the following four parts:…

Intimate Partner Violence Screening Guide

Published by: Gabrielle Davis This initial domestic abuse screening guide is designed to help you identify domestic abuse and coercive…

SAFeR: Domestic Violence Informed Child Custody Decision Making Worksheet

Published by: Gabrielle Davis, Loretta Frederick, Nancy Ver Steegh These worksheets assist the family court practitioner in easily and visually…

SAFeR: All Worksheets

Color-coded worksheets help pinpoint relevant IPV- related information for each element of SAFeR. A SAFeR icon appears at the top…

Offender Involved Domestic Violence

Published by: Leigh Goodmark, J.D., David R. Thomas, Dottie Davis Professor Goodmark discusses the findings of her investigation into law…

Advocates as Expert Witnesses: Weighing Benefits and Drawbacks

Written by Cindene Pezzell, Esq. with contributions from Melissa Scaia

A Toolkit for Systems Advocacy on Behalf of Victims of Battering Charged with Crimes

Written by: Sue Osthoff and Jane Sadusky

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Published by: Elizabeth Brett, Kimberly Coleman Prier In order to provide an integrated approach to addressing IPV among veterans, their…

Police Body Cameras in Domestic and Sexual Assault Investigations: Considerations and Unanswered Questions

Published by: Sandra Tibbetts Murphy This paper identifies and addresses the various issues – those known and unresolved – that…

Intimate Partner Violence: Insights into Military Personnel and Veterans

Published by: Michael Paymar This unique training tool features an in-depth interview with Hector Matascastillo, an Army Ranger and combat…

Intimate Partner Violence: Help for Military-Related Victims

This resource provides answers to common questions asked by military-related victims, provides detailed information to military-related victims on combat-related and…

Intimate Partner Violence: Help for Military-Related Victims Pocket Resource Card

This tool answers common questions asked by military-related victims and lists online and telephonic resources specific to military personnel, veterans,…

Accounting for Risk and Danger Practice Checklists

Published by: Connie Sponsler-Garcia Ideally, identifying and documenting risk factors for serious or lethal intimate partner violence (IPV) should be…

Increasing Your Safety: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders

This guide for survivors provides information on enforcing protection orders across jurisdictional lines pursuant to the full faith and credit…

Representing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Connected with the Military

Published by: Ellen Schell This handbook for civil attorneys provides legal and military policy information needed by civil attorneys representing…

Practice Guides for Family Court Decision-Making in Domestic Abuse-Related Child Custody Matters

Published by: Loretta Frederick, Gabrielle Davis These practice guides are designed to improve decision-making by family court professionals involved in…

Important Differences Between Civilian and Military Protection Orders

Published by: Sarah Henry This newsletter provides information on military protection orders and enforcement of orders issued by state, tribal,…

Engaging in a Best Practice Assessment of the Civil Protection Order System

This tool provides jurisdictions with an easy-to-use method for assessing their civil protection order system. The tool utilizes best practices…

Mind the Gap: Accounting for Domestic Abuse in Child Custody Evaluations

Published by:  Ellen Pence, Gabrielle Davis, Denise Gamache, Cheryl Beardslee This report was part of a national child custody project…

Islamic Marriage Contracts

Published by: Maha Alkhateeb This guide was developed as a resource for legal professionals and advocates working with Muslims, and…

Parent Coordination Services: A Guide for Policy Makers

Published by: Barbara Hart, Esq. This guide is designed to assist policymakers, courts and attorneys in deliberations and decision-making on…

Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence: A Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide

This guide for law enforcement provides guidance on the inter-jurisdictional enforcement of protection orders pursuant to the full faith and…

A Prosecutor’s Guide to Full Faith and Credit For Protection Orders: Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence

This guide for prosecutors provides information on enforcement of protection orders pursuant to the full faith and credit provision of…

Domestic Violence Advocates and the Unauthorized Practice of Law

Published by: Kristine Lizdas, Sandra Tibbetts Murphy This document is intended for both volunteer and paid staff of nongovernmental domestic…

Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders: Advocate’s Guide

This pull-out pocket guide for law enforcement is a quick reference from the Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide to Enforcing Protection…

Full Faith & Credit: Enforcing Protection Orders Pocket Guide

This pull-out pocket guide for law enforcement is a quick reference from the Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide to Enforcing Protection…

Confidentiality: An Advocate’s Guide

Published by: Julie Kunce Field, Deb Goelman, Barbara Hart, Rebekah Lee, Sandra Tibbetts Murphy, Kim Tolhurst, Roberta Valente Confidentiality and…

How to Work With Survivors Regarding the Release of Personal Information

Violence Against Native Women: A Guide for Practitioner Action

This guide contains information on protection orders and Native American women and domestic and sexual violence. It provides specific information…

Pretrial Release Conditions in Domestic Violence Cases: Issues and Context

Published by: Jane Sadusky This paper examines the question of pretrial release, conditions in domestic violence cases, focusing on balance…

Domestic Violence and Probation

Published by: Fernando Mederos This article offers specialized management techniques that probation officers can use to monitor batterers and intervene…

Interstate Child Custody: A Practitioner’s Guide to the Indian Child Welfare Act

This tool provides a statutory summary of the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C §1901.

Custody Tool Series – Old PKPA

This tool provides a statutory summary and overview of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, 28 U.S.C. §1738A, and significant provisions…

A Practitioner’s Guide to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act – UCCJA

The Role of Restorative Justice in the Battered Women’s Movement

Published by: Loretta Frederick, Kristine Lizdas This article provides a comparison of the principles and practices of the restorative justice…

Battered Women’s Risks

Adapted from Jill Davies & Eleanor Lyon This chart was adapted from "Safety Planning With Battered Women: Complex Lives/Difficult Choices"…

Effective Advocacy on Behalf of Battered Women

Published by: Loretta Frederick This brief article describes the role of the advocate, defines the characteristics of a battering relationship,…

Marital Rape

Published by: Kersti Yllo In order to fully and adequately respond to men who rape and women who are sexually…

Violence Against Women: A Curriculum for Empowerment Facilitator’s Manual

Published by: Susan Schechter, Sharon Szymanski, Michele Cahill A manual for facilitators of battered women's groups. The curriculum and workshops…