Domestic violence is not a misunderstanding. It’s a crime.

Right now, abusers can get their charges dropped through Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs)—even in cases involving physical assault, repeated abuse, or children. These deals allow offenders to complete a short program (like anger management) and walk away with no record, no accountability, and no justice for the victim.

DPAs were never designed for violent crimes. Yet they’re being used in domestic violence cases across Florida every day, often without the victim’s consent. These deals often ignore the history of abuse as defined by a prior adjudication or withholding of adjudication for domestic battery or a final judgment of injunction for protection against domestic violence or stalking. They also ignore the fact that children were present during the act of domestic violence. They send a dangerous message: that abuse is negotiable.

We’re calling on Florida lawmakers to pass the Florida Domestic Violence Accountability Act, which would:

✅ Ban DPAs in domestic violence cases involving:

• Physical injury
• History of abuse as defined by a prior adjudication or withholding of adjudication for domestic battery or a final judgment injunction of injunction for protection against domestic violence or stalking, and child or children of the parties were present. 
• If a case otherwise qualifies for DPA and both physical injury and children of the parties are present, then the victim must agree to the use of a DPA in writing.

✅ Require prosecutors to track and report all DPA use in Domestic Violence cases to ensure transparency and safety for the victim or future victims.

✅ Offender accountability in Florida’s justice system 

Every survivor deserves real protection—not a plea deal for their abuser.

Please sign and share this petition if you believe Florida should prioritize justice for survivors. Together, we can say: No more loopholes. No more silence. No more deals for domestic violence.

Visit NextChapterGirl.com to learn more information or for updates on this initiative. Next Chapter Girl is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advocacy, resources, and support so no woman has to face her next chapter alone.

Note: Any contributions made through Change.org go directly to Change.org to support their website. Donations do not go to Next Chapter Girl or any individuals associated with this petition.

#NoDealsForDV
#JusticeForSurvivors
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