As domestic violence advocates committed to serving all survivors, we must recognize that some survivors are going to be accused of crimes, coerced into committing crimes, or risk imprisonment for defending themselves. These survivors may need a different set of services, but they still deserve support, advocacy, and safety planning.

The domestic violence movement has long been aligned with the criminal justice system, we must use our professional contacts to help legal professionals understand why survivors may find themselves faced with criminal charges. The criminal justice system frequently misunderstands or ignores the impact of domestic violence on survivors' actions. This lack of understanding disproportionately affects women and girls of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The resources on this page will help you enhance support for survivors navigating the criminal legal system.  

This section provides specialized resources for advocates working with survivors who have been criminalized. This section includes articles, toolkits, and training materials designed to enhance support for survivors navigating the criminal legal system and seeking reentry services.