Restorative Action Alliance is Supporting CT Campaign to Pass Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act

On September 25, 2024, Yale Law School’s Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic (CJAC) launched a campaign to introduce the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) in Connecticut, aiming to provide trauma-informed sentencing and commutation relief for individuals whose criminal actions stem from experiences of abuse and domestic violence.

The event featured Oklahoma Majority Floor Leader Rep. Jon Echols, who shared insights from successfully passing a similar bill in Oklahoma.

The CJAC has spent the past year building a coalition for this legislation, which would be a first for New England if enacted. Advocates, legislative staff, and community members attended the reception, highlighting a bipartisan commitment to reform. The aim of the coalition is to pass the DVSJA during the 2025 legislative session.

Why Restorative Action Alliance supports this campaign:

• Allows courts to resentence survivors and impose lower future sentences
• Addresses the urgent need for systemic change to support domestic violence survivors

Learn more about this CJAC campaign on the Yale Law School website.