Second Look Laws for Criminalized Survivors: A Panel Discussion

Date & Time: February 24, 2026 (Virtual)
Start time: 10:00AM PT / 11:00AM MT / 12:00PM CT / 1:00PM ET
End time: 11:30AM PT / 12:30PM MT / 1:30PM CT / 2:30PM ET
Organization: Battered Women's Justice Project
Project: Liberation Project: Post Conviction Assistance for Criminalized Survivors (Liberation Project)
Location: Virtual
OVW Approved?: Yes

Description

Thousands of people—mostly women—are behind bars for actions taken while surviving domestic violence, trafficking, or other forms of abuse. Advocates, attorneys, and policymakers around the country are working to change that.

Join us for a vital panel discussion on the rise of “Second Look” laws for criminalized survivors. These emerging state and federal policies offer paths to relief for those serving harsh sentences for crimes committed in the context of surviving abuse by their victimizers. Our panel of national and state experts will guide participants through an exploration of this rapidly changing legal landscape. This session is essential for legal professionals, advocates, and policymakers, and anyone committed to a more equitable justice system that centers the needs of all survivors.

Topic Areas: Abuse in Later Life, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Grantee Orientation, Rural, Sexual Assault, Stalking
Target Audiences: Civil Attorneys, Community Advocacy Org, Community Programs, Corrections Personnel, Court Staff, Defense Attorneys, Dual SA and DV Program, DV Coalitions, DV Program, Educators, Elder Org, Faith-Based Org, Judges, Mental Health Professionals, Multidisciplinary Groups, SA Coalitions, SA Program, Social Service Org, Spiritual Leaders, SV&E Centers, Technical Assistance Providers, Tribal Community, Tribal Council, Tribal Elders, Tribal Government, Victim-Witness Specialists
Contact: Jill Spector Senior Attorney Advisor, Post-Conviction Lead 6123831435 jspector@bwjp.org