Community Supervision of Criminalized Survivors

Significant strides have been made in the criminal justice response to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, some unintended consequences of this progress have emerged and continue to go largely unnoticed. One such consequence involves a category of offenders—IPV victims who assault their abusers which has become an increasingly common situation that escalates an already high-risk scenario. When a victim becomes involved in the criminal justice system as an offender, it can lead to increased risks to their safety, loss of employment and financial stability, loss of eligibility for advocacy services, child custody issues, and the psychological and emotional trauma associated with arrest and court involvement. This, combined with the incentives embedded in the justice system, may create additional barriers for IPV victims who are seeking support to protect themselves and their loved ones from an abuser. This workshop will delve into the challenges faced by victims-turned-offenders and explore how advocates, law enforcement officers, court personnel, and allied professionals can better serve this unique group.