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Court watch programs, in various forms, have existed in the United States since at least the early 1970’s. Though the focus of court watch programs may be varied, they all generally “serve to highlight the realities of our legal system by recording data, uncovering stories, identifying trends, and highlighting problems.” A cornerstone of the U.S. judicial system is that court proceedings are generally presumptively open to the public. Court watch programs operate by having someone from the program observe proceedings, either in person or virtually. Observers are often looking for and noting a particular procedure or outcome of the court but may also be conducting general observation. Communities around the country are using court watch programs as part of their strategy to reduce firearm-involved domestic violence. In this resource, we highlight how programs in three communities (Spokane, WA; Montgomery County, MD; and Madison, WI) are leading firearm-focused court watch efforts and the lessons they have learned so far.

Domestic violence and sexual assault advocates (“DV/SA advocates”) provide critical services and supports to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Out of a genuine desire to support survivors, some advocates may unwittingly engage in the practice of law. This resource will discuss the unauthorized practice of law, explain why it is harmful for immigrant survivors, and detail how advocates can effectively serve immigrant survivors without practicing law.

This Practice Pointer synthesizes current recommendations for using USCIS customer service options for survivor-based relief applications. It also discusses how to supplement pending survivor-based petitions via mail, with the hotlines as a backup paper trail. As noted throughout, the information is accurate up to the publication date, but should always be cross-checked with information on USCIS’s website and Policy Manual for the most up-to-date government provisos.

The age-in rule is a statutory provision designed to protect VAWA derivatives from losing eligibility when they turn 21. This written resource describes the age-in rule and provides practical tips for practitioners to harness its potential.

“A domestic violence protection order (DVPO) is issued by a court to protect a survivor of family or intimate partner abuse/violence and requires the person subject to the order to do, or not do, certain actions. DVPOs can protect the survivor in many ways, including: ordering the respondent from coming near the survivor or their home or workplace, from communicating with the survivor, providing for custody or visitation, provisions related to housing, express prohibitions against further harassment, threats, stalking or other abusive behaviors against the survivor and their children. DVPOs can also prohibit the respondent from accessing firearms or ammunition during the time the DVPO is in effect. All U.S. states and territories have laws providing for DVPOs.

As of late 2024, 21 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. have laws providing for extreme risk protection orders (ERPO), a court order that requires the person subject to the order to turn in firearms and ammunition in their possession and can prohibit the respondent from purchasing firearms and ammunition while the order is in effect.

It is important for survivors to have access to information about the differences between these legal tools.”

This resource explains what changes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act made to narrow the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” how “dating relationships” are defined by this law, and how victim advocates can support survivors whose current or former dating partners may have access to, or be prohibited from accessing, firearms.

“This chart includes information about state laws that speak to expressly authorized or
mandated firearm relinquishment orders in civil protection order and criminal cases involving intimate partner violence. The information is current as of September 2024, may not be all-inclusive, and is intended only for educational and research purposes. State statutes are constantly changing. Additionally, the absence of statutory provisions related to relinquishment does not mean state and local authorities lack the authority to implement relinquishment processes.”

Prevalence rates of both intimate partner violence and gun violence remain pervasive. Research demonstrates a lethal association when intimate partner violence and firearms are combined.

“Over several months in 2024, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms (NRCDVF) conducted site visits in three communities, each of which has developed a multi-jurisdictional collaboration with the specific goal of addressing firearm-facilitated domestic violence and domestic violence-derived community violence through better implementation and enforcement of the federal laws that prohibit certain abusers from accessing firearms.

Those communities—DeKalb County, GA; Oklahoma City, OK; and Birmingham, AL—each developed a collaborative initiative that reflects their community and its needs. Each of these three programs are discussed in this resource, including who participates in the initiative, how resources are allocated, the shape the program takes, and the benefits to each community.

The aim of this resource is to provide these models as ones which may be adopted, or adapted, for your own community. The partners within each of these community models were gracious and generous in offering honest reflection on the process of developing these initiatives. The last section of this resource is a set of tips taken directly from the experience of these communities.”