DVFirearmsMD

SAFEGUARDING SURVIVORS FROM LETHAL HARM

Examining Domestic Violence Protective Order Processes and Firearm Removal Practice to Improve Safety Outcomes

PROJECT
AT-A-GLANCE

The Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) is a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the intersection of intimate partner violence and the legal system. BWJP has received a grant from the Maryland Department of Health’s Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention (CFVPI), supporting a focused effort to examine domestic violence protective order firearm surrender practices across Maryland. The results from this needs assessment will be used to inform CFVPI’s strategic planning.

Under Federal and Maryland law, when a domestic violence protective order is issued against someone, that person is prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms and ammunition. However, there is no consistent, statewide process for removal or surrender, leaving different jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies to create and implement their own processes.

Through this initiative, BWJP is conducting a comprehensive statewide needs assessment that will encompass:

A comprehensive analysis of stakeholder engagement strategies.
Detailed process mapping of the protective order and firearm surrender process in all 23 counties and Baltimore City to identify variations and best practices.
Facilitated listening sessions with stakeholders, system actors, survivors, and respondents to gather diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
Convene a multidisciplinary working group to pinpoint opportunities, leverage existing resources, and address critical gaps in programs and policies.
Produce a final report offering actionable recommendations for enhancing firearm surrender processes statewide.

WAYS TO
PARTICIPATE

Process Mapping and Listening Session:

The process mapping session will identify the DVPO system’s processes that guide firearm surrender and the return of weapons, how the process begins, how agencies are connected and share information, how victims access services, and how offenders are held accountable. This will be followed by a listening session, a structured and facilitated discussion to share experiences and ideas. This session will help us gain valuable insights into the policies, procedures, opportunities, and challenges related to these areas.

Registration is subject to approval. Mapping and listening sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom and last 3 hours, including breaks, with a minimum commitment of 2 hours.

REGISTER BY REGION

EASTERN REGION

Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Cecil Counties (Mid-Shore & Upper Shore) Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties (Lower Eastern Shore)

WESTERN REGION

Allegany, Garrett, Washington Counties

SOUTHERN MARYLAND

Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s Counties

CENTRAL REGION

Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Hartford County, Howard Counties

CENTRAL REGION

Baltimore City

CAPITOL REGION

Montgomery and Fredrick Counties

CAPITOL REGION

Prince George’s County (Registration closed)

10-MINUTE
SURVEYS

Surveys for system actors, people who have sought an MD domestic violence protective order, and people who have had an MD domestic violence protective order against them.

There are three surveys available:

System actors, stakeholders, and community organizations. This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

LEARN MORE

For those who have sought or received a domestic violence protective order within the last five years. Participation can help improve the efficiency, safety, and fairness of the domestic violence protective order system. This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

LEARN MORE

For those who have had a domestic violence protective order issued against them in the past five years. Participation can help improve the efficiency, safety, and fairness of the DV protective order system. This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

LEARN MORE

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

SYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS AND PROFESSIONAL

Judges, Court Clerks, Case System Mangers, Court Technologist

Civil and Defense Attorneys, Legal Service Programs, Prosecutor Offices

Law enforcement Agencies, Sheriffs’ Offices, Criminal Justice Information System Agencies (CJIS), Probation and Parole

Council members, cities, county government officials; Victim Compensation Board

PERSONS IMPACTED BY THE DVPO PROCESS

+18 years who received a DVPO in the last 5 years

+18 years who petitioned for a DVPO in the last 5 years on behalf of themselves or another individual.

+18 year who had an DVPO issued against them in the last 5 years

SURVIVOR SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY PROFESSIONAL

Programs that assist DV/Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking/Trafficking survivors including Family Justice Center personnel and organization participants, Victim-Witness Programs

Who provide support to professionals/organizations that assist DV/Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking/Trafficking survivors

University/Colleges/ Campus Programs, Public Health Organizations/ Programs who may encounter or assist DV/Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking/Trafficking advocates in various issues.

Who assist DV/Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking/Trafficking survivors.

System actors, stakeholders, and community organizations. This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

OTHER

Agencies that provide services to Respondent who have had a protection order issued against them

Individuals or groups within the community whom people turn to in times of need but are not formally associated with, who can facilitate effective communication and engagement

 Community members trained to prevent violence by acting as mediators and “credible messengers” in their neighborhoods.

Individual who has been help a family or friend experiencing domestic violence.

Non-government organizations, Regional Associations, Law enforcement Associations, Bar Associations, Gun Violence Prevention Associations, Health associations, Social Work Associations etc.

Frequently
asked
questions

Process mapping is a systematic, step-by-step method that uses flowcharts and other visual tools to describe processes and the people involved.

No steps are missed, and areas of uncertainty are highlighted for future discussion and clarity.

The mapping process is collaborative, drawing on the experiences and expertise of each person, while also harnessing teamwork to outline each step effectively.

Process mapping is a valuable part of effective project planning, as it helps collaboratively create a detailed list of strengths, gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement, along with their positions within the processes.

Mapping video

A listening session is a structured discussion where participants share their thoughts, experiences, and concerns about a specific topic in a safe and facilitated environment.  In this particular situation, we are discussing the domestic violence protective order process and firearm surrender. The purpose of these sessions is to provide you with a platform to voice your feedback, which will inform our future actions and decisions.

You are not required to place your name on the survey. We will ask you a few questions to confirm that you belong to the group eligible to take this survey.

Data is only shared in aggregate.

The survey will take ~15 minutes.

CONTACT US

Process Mapping and Listening Session:

If you would like more information about this project, contact BWJP at

DVFirearmsMD@bwjp.org

1-800-903-0111, prompt 5

This project is funded by Grant # CFVPI-0002 awarded by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention.

SAFEGUARDING SURVIVORS FROM LETHAL HARM

Examining Domestic Violence Protective Order Processes and Firearm Removal Practice to Improve Safety Outcomes

PROJECT AT-A-GLANCE

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

REGISTER BY REGION

10-MINUTE SURVEYS

There are three surveys available:

SYSTEM ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS

INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SOUGHT AN MD DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER

INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD AN MD DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER AGAINST THEM

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

SYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS AND PROFESSIONAL

JUDICIAL

LEGAL

LAW ENFORCEMENT

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR OTHER AGENCIES

PERSONS IMPACTED BY THE DVPO PROCESS

SURVIVORS

PETITIONERS

RESPONDENTS

SURVIVOR SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY PROFESSIONAL

ADVOCACY SERVICE PROVIDERS

COALITIONS/NETWORKS/ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COMMITTEE/ COORDINATING COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM MEMBERS

ADVOCACY PROFESSIONALS

CULTURALLY-SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS

FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS

OTHER

ABUSE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

NATURAL HELPERS

VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS

GENERAL PUBLIC – FAMILY OR FRIENDS

ASSOCIATIONS THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN ADDRESSING FIREARM VIOLENCE AND/OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND/OR SUPPORTING THOSE PROFESSIONALS THAT PROVIDE THESE SERVICES

Frequently asked questions

What is Process Mapping?

What is a Listening Session?

Is my survey participation confidential?

How much time will the survey take?

CONTACT US

PROJECT
AT-A-GLANCE

WAYS TO
PARTICIPATE

10-MINUTE
SURVEYS

Frequently
asked
questions