Criminal Legal System Reform
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Survivors often turn to the criminal legal system seeking justice, protection, and accountability for their perpetrators. While some survivors find what they are seeking, many more do not. Numerous challenges exist within the system that can hinder survivors’ access to justice and even create further harm to survivors.
Survivors are still not believed, especially in cases of sexual assault, despite false reports only making up a small fraction of cases.
Survivors still face victim-blaming attitudes, both within society and the criminal legal system, which can discourage them from seeking support as well as create further trauma.
Survivors that are not “ideal victims” such as those with mental health issues, who use substances, or those that engage in sex work are frequently perceived as offenders rather than victims.
The perception of a lack of substantial evidence can impede successful prosecution, making prosecutors reluctant to charge and prosecute offenders.
Lengthy legal processes, court backlogs, and delays can exacerbate the trauma experienced by survivors and cause survivors to decide not to report or participate in the criminal justice process.
Survivors report feeling used by the criminal legal system to gain a conviction and thus are not served justice by the system.
Limited access to legal representation and support services can disadvantage survivors, particularly those with fewer financial resources, especially in civil cases.
Inconsistent enforcement of protective orders and sentences can undermine survivors’ faith in the legal system’s ability to ensure their safety.
The criminal legal system disproportionately punishes people of color, creating fear in many survivors.
Current actions:
ACESDV advocates
for state legislation for decriminalization particularly for sex workers.
ACESDV advocates
for Trauma-Informed Training, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault training for all members of the criminal legal system including judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officers.
ACESDV advocates
for a state-wide tracking system for rape kits, to improve evidence collection and prosecution through accountability.
ACESDV advocates
for the end of sex offender registries as they have been proven ineffective, do not prevent sexual assault or abuse, and do not keep communities safe while creating lasting harm.
ACESDV advocates
and supports additional legal services for survivors to ensure equitable access to legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
ACESDV advocates
for the removal of barriers and the strengthening of protective orders to ensure survivors are served by that system.
ACESDV advocates
for mandatory yearly training of Arizona judges on the topics of domestic and sexual violence.
Connect with our team to collaborate or learn more about this initiative: