Our major study of domestic violence now has yielded legislative action on our recommendations for five consecutive years.
- In 2005, the legislature created a special study commission to study domestic violence at our urging. Later that year, it committed to expand family courts statewide, one of our most important recommendations.
- In 2006, the legislature funded a new family court in Wake County and new shelters for victims of domestic violence.
- In 2007, it allowed confidential name changes to protect victims and required reporting on domestic violence homicides, as we recommended. It also provided $894,000 for community-based programs for domestic violence victims and expanded family courts to more counties.
- In 2008, we testified again before the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence, and the legislature acted on another of our recommendations – this time enacting stiffer penalties for repeat offenders.
- And, in 2009, the legislature authorized a new study of family violence and child custody, as we recommended.
Click here for resources on domestic and family violence in North Carolina.
