PETITION FOR A NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDER REGISTRY AND ENHANCED OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY

We, the undersigned, respectfully petition federal and state lawmakers to establish a nationwide Domestic Violence Offender Registry for individuals convicted of qualifying domestic violence offenses involving spouses, former spouses, intimate partners, dating partners, co-parents, household members, or children.

Domestic violence remains one of the most pervasive and destructive forms of violence in the United States. Despite criminal penalties and protective measures currently in place, survivors and their children often continue to face significant risks long after an offender's conviction. Many victims are forced to relocate, change jobs, alter daily routines, and live in constant fear of future harm. Information regarding domestic violence convictions, protective orders, and offender histories is often dispersed across multiple local, state, and federal systems, making it difficult for victims and the public to access consistent information.

THE NEED FOR ACTION

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in three women and more than one in six men in the United States have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. This represents tens of millions of Americans whose lives have been affected by domestic violence.

The CDC further reports that approximately 43.5 million women and more than 20 million men have experienced intimate partner violence involving physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking. Many victims first experience abuse before reaching adulthood, demonstrating the far-reaching impact domestic violence has on children and young people.

The consequences of domestic violence extend beyond immediate physical injuries. Survivors often suffer long-term psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse issues, financial hardship, housing instability, and other lasting effects. The CDC estimates that the lifetime economic burden of intimate partner violence exceeds $3.6 trillion in the United States.

Research shows that more than half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former intimate partner, demonstrating the potentially lethal nature of domestic violence.

These statistics demonstrate that domestic violence is not merely a private matter between individuals. It is a serious public safety issue that affects families, children, workplaces, healthcare systems, law enforcement agencies, and communities nationwide.

PROPOSED REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS

We call upon lawmakers to enact legislation creating a National Domestic Violence Offender Registry that would require individuals convicted of qualifying domestic violence offenses to register for a period of up to thirty (30) years following conviction or release from incarceration, as determined by law.

The registration period should be subject to legislative review and informed by research regarding recidivism, victim safety, offender accountability, and public safety considerations.

Qualifying offenses should include:

• Assault and battery against a spouse, former spouse, intimate partner, dating partner, co-parent, or household member.

• Aggravated assault and felony assault involving domestic relationships.

• Strangulation offenses committed against intimate partners or family members.

• Child abuse involving physical violence.

• Repeat violations of domestic violence protective orders involving threats or violence.

• Other violent criminal acts committed against spouses, romantic partners, household members, or children as defined by law.

ENHANCED CRIMINAL PENALTIES

We further call upon lawmakers to review and strengthen criminal penalties for domestic violence offenses to ensure that sentencing reflects the serious and often escalating nature of these crimes.

Specifically, we urge consideration of:

• Stronger penalties for qualifying domestic violence convictions involving physical violence, strangulation, serious bodily injury, use of a weapon, violence committed in the presence of a child, or violations of protective orders.

• Enhanced sentencing provisions for repeat domestic violence offenders, recognizing the increased risks associated with patterns of abusive behavior.

• Increased penalties for offenders who commit additional domestic violence offenses after prior convictions, protective orders, court intervention, or participation in offender treatment programs.

• Consistent enforcement of domestic violence laws and sentencing standards to promote accountability and victim safety.

The purpose of these measures is to deter repeat violence, strengthen offender accountability, and provide greater protection for victims, children, and communities while preserving constitutional safeguards and judicial discretion.

GOALS OF THE REGISTRY

Protect Victims and Survivors
A national registry could provide victims with greater access to information regarding documented histories of domestic violence, helping them make more informed safety decisions for themselves and their families.

Protect Children
Children who witness or experience domestic violence often suffer lasting emotional, psychological, and developmental harm. Enhanced accountability for offenders may help reduce risks to vulnerable children and support efforts to prevent future victimization.

Improve Interstate Information Sharing
Domestic violence offenders may move between cities and states. A nationwide registry could promote more consistent reporting standards and improve communication among law enforcement agencies, courts, and relevant authorities across jurisdictions and keep the public informed.

Strengthen Accountability
A registry could reinforce the seriousness of domestic violence offenses and provide an additional mechanism for monitoring individuals with documented histories of violence against intimate partners and children.

Support Prevention Efforts
By increasing transparency and public awareness, a registry may help identify patterns of repeat offending and support broader efforts to prevent future acts of domestic violence.

DUE PROCESS AND ACCURACY PROTECTIONS

Any National Domestic Violence Offender Registry should include strong constitutional safeguards and procedural protections, including:

• Limiting registration requirements to individuals who have been convicted or found guilty through the criminal justice system.

• Procedures to ensure accurate and up-to-date records.

• Mechanisms to correct errors and challenge inaccurate information.

• Compliance with constitutional protections, victims' rights laws, and applicable privacy requirements.

CALL TO ACTION

Domestic violence devastates lives, destroys families, and places countless children and adults at risk every year. Survivors deserve meaningful protections that extend beyond the courtroom and across state lines. A National Domestic Violence Offender Registry has the potential to improve accountability, enhance information-sharing, and provide victims with additional tools to make informed safety decisions.

We urge Congress, state legislatures, and relevant federal agencies to study, develop, and enact legislation establishing a National Domestic Violence Offender Registry, strengthening interstate information-sharing, enhancing penalties for qualifying domestic violence offenses and repeat offenders, and creating a consistent nationwide framework for offender accountability and victim protection.

By signing this petition, we support the creation of a National Domestic Violence Offender Registry and call upon our elected officials to take decisive action to better protect victims, children, and communities throughout the United States.