Intimate accomplice violence impacts tens of millions of People annually.
The lasting hurt leaves everlasting marks on victim-survivors, kids, households and full communities. In Washington state alone, regulation enforcement recorded greater than 71,000 domestic violence incidents in 2024. These numbers demand greater than our consideration — they demand motion.
For the previous yr, I’ve served as the first choose dealing with home violence circumstances in Seattle Municipal Courtroom. From the bench, I see the devastating and repetitive nature of abuse. I see victim-survivors navigating concern and trauma, kids caught in cycles of instability and households fractured by violence that too usually repeats itself. My expertise demonstrates that punishment alone doesn’t cease home violence. If we’re severe about prevention, we should spend money on interventions that work.
In 2018, Seattle Municipal Courtroom launched an bold pilot program designed to do exactly that. The Domestic Violence Intervention Project was created to handle the foundation causes of intimate accomplice violence via individualized, evidence-informed intervention. Fairly than counting on a one-size-fits-all method, DVIP brings collectively a multidisciplinary staff of state-certified home violence remedy suppliers, probation counselors and sufferer advocates to create a tailor-made plan for every participant.
Members are assessed for danger and wish, and the staff could suggest substance use remedy, psychological well being providers or parenting help alongside the home violence intervention curriculum. Simply as importantly, these professionals work collectively — speaking frequently with one another, with victim-survivors and with the courtroom — to intently supervise individuals and guarantee accountability all through the method.
Because the choose overseeing DVIP hearings, I’ve witnessed its constructive impression firsthand. Members usually report a brand new understanding of their conduct and its penalties. One particular person advised the courtroom, “I went into this system with skepticism and a variety of bitterness however ended up considering it was superior.” One other mirrored, “If I had identified about these courses earlier than, I’d not be on this place in any respect.” Many individuals report improved communication with their companions and stronger relationships with their kids.
These anecdotes at the moment are supported by compelling knowledge. In collaboration with researchers from the College of Nebraska at Omaha and the College of Washington, Seattle Municipal Courtroom studied outcomes for DVIP individuals. The outcomes are placing: People who accomplished DVIP had 63% lower odds of committing a brand new home violence offense within the 12 months following case closure in comparison with equally located people who didn’t full this system. These findings present sturdy preliminary proof that well-designed, individualized intervention can cut back future violence.
Regardless of its demonstrated success, DVIP’s long-term sustainability stays unsure. This system is at present funded by the town of Seattle via the Human Companies Division, help that has been important to sustaining providers and is assured solely via 2026. Beforehand, DVIP relied closely on a federal Workplace on Violence In opposition to Girls grant to fund key employees and guarantee providers have been accessible no matter capability to pay; that grant expired on Dec. 31, 2025. With federal funding now not accessible, the town should think about ongoing, sustainable funding for DVIP in future finances planning to make sure continuity of those very important providers past 2026.
Too usually, legislators cite a scarcity of proof as justification for denying funding for home violence intervention applications. That argument now not stands. DVIP demonstrates {that a} coordinated, multidisciplinary method can produce measurable reductions in recidivism whereas growing system accountability and transparency. It represents not only a program, however a systemic shift in how we reply to home violence.
Washington faces severe finances constraints, however failing to fund confirmed interventions comes at a far higher value. Lowering recidivism eases the pressure on courts, regulation enforcement and correctional methods. It additionally lessens the burden on victim-survivor advocacy organizations, medical suppliers and psychological well being providers. Most necessary, it prevents future hurt — accidents prevented, trauma lowered, households stored safer.
Home violence just isn’t inevitable. We now have sturdy proof that it may be interrupted. State and native legislators should act now to shut this funding hole and spend money on applications like DVIP that cease violence earlier than it occurs once more. The price of inaction is one we are able to now not afford.
