You’ve been asked to write a policy proposal for ways to evaluate how the state handles family violence cases. Your task is to identify 3-5 areas for improvement in this space, articulate what the cha

Shortcoming: Mandatory Arrest Policies in IPV Cases

Mandatory arrest policies in IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) cases may be unintendedly punitive to survivors of intimate partner violence, take away the survivor's autonomy, and cause disproportionate harm to women of color.

(This relates to class topics concerning policing, criminalizing survivors of IPV.)

• Weakness: CPS Does Not Provide Sufficient Trauma-Informed Support.

CPS tends to focus on surveillance of the family and separating the family rather than preventing violence and providing supportive services to victims of violence.

(This connects to "The Trouble with Evan" case study about how State Intervention and Emotional Abuse can be used to create a false sense of urgency regarding State Intervention.)

• Strength: Family Courts and Protection Orders

Family Courts that are specialized can provide an easier way to access safe space for both survivors of IPV and children who have been exposed to violence.

(I will also explain some of the challenges associated with family court including slow processing times, and inconsistent enforcement of protection orders.)

• Weakness: The Lack of Culturally Competent Services

Survivors of IPV and their families who belong to Immigrant Families, LGBTQ+, or other marginalized groups may experience difficulties when trying to access shelter services, legal assistance, and other types of social services because they lack culturally competent service providers.

I will use additional real world cases, if necessary, as well as examples from class media/case studies to show how policies impact survivors and children.