As a survivor of domestic violence who was wrongly apprehended due to circumstances unfolding from my husband's actions, I am reassured that the imperative need for proper training in domestic violence among law enforcement officers is not to be underestimated. Through an unfortunate set of events, I came to realize how quickly innocent victims can be wrongly accused if officers are not adequately trained to differentiate between the victims and the offenders, especially when said victims are in a fight, flight or freeze state.

It is crucial to recognize that, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in the U.S. Law enforcement officers are many times the first responders to scenes of such incidents. Hence, lack of adequate knowledge and preparation can potentially lead to grave injustices.

Therefore, I urge the institution of a policy making it mandatory for all law enforcement officers to undergo thorough training in domestic violence before serving in the field. This compulsory training should include the ability to identify victims, even when they're in fight, flight or freeze mode, and distinguish them from the culprits. This would also help create a setting where victims feel safe and confident to come forward without the fear of being wrongly accused.

On a final note, domestic violence calls should mandatorily involve at least one female officer. A female presence in such sensitive situations can provide much-needed comfort and assurance to the victim, largely enhancing their willingness to cooperate.

Let's ensure our law enforcement can serve and protect to the best of their ability - sign this petition to make it obligatory for officers to receive extensive domestic violence training.