The National Center on Gun Violence in Relationships works to prevent domestic violence-related homicides involving firearms.
We know protecting domestic violence victims from homicide isn’t as simple as just prohibiting access to guns, so our mission is to go beyond just policy improvement. We work with communities to identify the root causes of violence and develop victim-centered intervention strategies that create lasting change.
About Us
The National Center on Gun Violence in Relationships carries out several projects. Since its creation in 2013, we have operated the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms (NRCDVF), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, and the first of its kind of focus on this dangerous intersection. Resource Center staff support communities in building their capacity to implement and enforce federal and state laws related to domestic violence and firearms. The Resource Center maintains an up-to-date online clearinghouse of resources, available at www.NRCDVF.org.
The Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, is also a project of the National Center on Gun Violence in Relationships. FTAP supports twelve Department of Justice-funded communities across the country to reduce domestic violence homicides and injuries committed with firearms. Through expert consultation, training, and tailored technical assistance, FTAP partners with these communities to implement policies, protocols, and promising practices to prevent abusers from having access to firearms in domestic violence cases.
Who We Serve
We’re here to help advocates, civil attorneys, court administrators, court personnel, judges, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other allied professionals who deal with domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking, involving firearms.
Services
There is no one size fits all recommendation, so our team specializes in providing technical assistance, consultations, and training that’s tailored to each community’s unique situation.
- Technical Assistance
Our National Center exists to provide general support with information, referrals, resources, site visits, case reviews, and whatever else is needed. If you’re wondering whether we can help, don’t hesitate to reach out.
- Consultations
We’re ready to problem solve with you on any topic, especially on those that involve multidisciplinary or multi-agency initiatives. We especially recommend on site consultations as they are tailored to fit your community’s special needs. With a complex issue such as relationships and guns, each jurisdiction has both strengths and challenges to consider. Our consultant teams lead you through a process to build your knowledge, capacity, and sustainability of your efforts.
- Custom Training
Training sessions are an opportunity to provide tailored assistance to each jurisdiction’s specific challenges and needs. Our teams employ highly interactive techniques, all grounded in adult learning principles that build collaboration and skill. Example topics include: the dynamics of domestic violence, the intersection of domestic violence and firearms, developing and implementing firearm relinquishment protocols, or enforcing domestic violence-related firearm prohibitions under state and federal law.
Trainings can be conducted on-site, remotely, or through our learning management system, the Learning Community.
- Policy Analysis
Our policy analysis begins with human-centered design around the legal, logistical, and practical hurdles communities face when implementing policy on firearms. Some hurdles, like the application of laws, are relatively straightforward, while others, such as strongly held belief systems, can be more difficult to overcome. Regardless of the specifics, our collaboration style and approach center on safety.
You can also visit the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms here.
THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY GRANT No. 15JOVW-21-GK-02232-MUMU AWARDED BY THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE OPINIONS, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS WEBSITE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.