Battered Women's Justice Project
The mission of the Battered Women’s Justice Project is to promote change within the civil and criminal justice systems that enhances their effectiveness in providing safety, security and justice for battered women and their families.
As the national resource center that addresses all areas of law related to domestic violence, BWJP provides technical assistance and training to advocates, batterers intervention program staff, civil attorneys, judges and related court personnel, law enforcement officers, the defense bar, prosecutors, probation officers, policymakers, victims of domestic violence, including incarcerated battered women, and their families and friends. BWJP also responds to requests from tribal and military practitioners who fulfill equivalent functions in their respective responses to domestic violence. Staff attorneys and advocates provide information and analyses on criminal justice issues related to domestic violence, such as effective policing, prosecuting, sentencing, and monitoring of domestic violence offenders; and on civil legal issues, such as custody, visitation, housing, employment, economic assistance, and protection orders.
The BWJP Defense Office, managed by our partner, the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women, addresses issues related to battered women charged with crimes and provides consultation to attorneys handling these cases. BWJP also manages the National Center on Full Faith and Credit which provides technical assistance to concerned professionals and the public on issues related to the issuance and inter-jurisdictional enforcement of protection orders.
Since its establishment in 1993, BWJP has produced a number of articles on best practices for responding to domestic violence cases and on emerging issues or controversies in the field.
As a Technical Assistance Provider for the Office on Violence Against Women, BWJP conducts a variety of professional trainings and multi-disciplinary events each year for jurisdictions awarded Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and the Enforcement of Protection Orders.
National Center on Full Faith and Credit