** Please make sure to check all updates for more info, brainstorming, etc.**

Hello everyone. I am a domestic violence (DV) survivor, a title I never thought I would ever have to carry. Throughout my journey, I’ve met countless others who share this title, including people close to me. Our stories are many, yet they unite us in understanding why change is imperative. We have witnessed, firsthand, the horror and the very real threat of DV, and the lasting impact it leaves in its wake. It is a grim reality for many individuals in the U.S. and around the world.

This petition seeks the implementation of a Domestic Violence Offender Registry—akin to the existing Sex Offender Registry—a vital tool that will systematically index the offenders found guilty of domestic violence offenses, regardless of gender. Currently, there is a clear and disturbing gap in the system where offenders can move through society without any public accountability or awareness. Just as the Sex Offender Registry protects communities, a DV Registry could offer that same protection, acting as a deterrent for potential offenders and a safety measure for the vulnerable.

Statistics show that nearly 20 people per minute in the United States are physically abused by an intimate partner. Around 12 million U.S. adults, both women & men, experience  domestic violence and other related offenses in a given year (CDC & NCADV). Globally, the WHO estimates that about 30%. of females aged 15 and older have experienced violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime and additional statistics are present for related domestic offenses among all genders.

Although sadly, many offenses go unreported for a variety of reasons, these numbers, as is, are still staggering. These numbers demonstrate the alarming scale of the issue, and despite this, recidivism rates among perpetrators remain worryingly high due to the lack of monitoring systems after convictions. 

By creating a registry, authorities nationwide (worldwide) can maintain better surveillance on offenders, potentially reducing repeat offenses. It will also empower potential victims by providing them with knowledge and the ability to make informed decisions regarding their safety, before potentially engaging with a new partner to which they may risk becoming another statistic.

The registry would not just be a list—it could be lifesaving! With detailed records, photos and mandatory registration, communities would be aware of domestic violence offenders in their area. Moreover, for survivors like me, and for those who stand on the brink of such horror, it could mean the difference between continued trauma and the hope of safety.

Now is the time to demand that the U.S. Government implements this necessary safeguard. By signing this petition, you are supporting a cause that stands up for victims and pushes for systemic change that prioritizes safety and prevention over silence and invisibility. Together, we can advocate for a more transparent and safer society. Please join us in urging the policymakers to legislate the Domestic Violence Offender Registry. Sign this petition and be part of the change that finally gives a voice and protection to DV survivors.