For Immediate Release
Contact: Communications Director and Senior Advisor, Samantha Graubard
PRESS RELEASE: COUNCILMEMBER PINTO INTRODUCES BILL TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Washington DC — Today, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, introduced a new bill to support survivors of domestic violence by reducing violence, increasing survivor support, and protecting victim privacy.
While homicides in DC have dropped in recent years, domestic violence-related incidents have unfortunately increased in our communities, and the “Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act of 2026” is a critical tool to help reverse this dangerous trend and support survivors.
The “Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act” will:
- Establish a Domestic Violence Response Unit at MPD to reduce and respond to incidents of domestic violence
- Amend the law to clarify how firearms must be surrendered when a civil protection order is violated
- Amend the law to clarify judges may consider violations of protective orders and anti-stalking orders and prior convictions of domestic violence offenses as high-risk factors when determining whether to order pretrial detention
- Close a loophole to protect victim privacy by amending public record laws to ensure body-worn camera MPD footage involving a domestic violence- or human-trafficking-related offense is not subject to public release
- Ensure domestic violence hotline provides assistance for victims of economic abuse
“The District is facing a deeply troubling and dangerous surge in domestic violence cases, and we must urgently address this crisis by strengthening prevention and response to better support survivors,” said Councilmember Brooke Pinto. “Supporting domestic violence survivors is a moral imperative, and I am committed to fighting for protective laws to ensure every person can feel safe in their own home.”
The “Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act” is co-introduced by Chairman Phil Mendelson, andCouncilmembers Charles Allen, Christina Henderson, Matthew Frumin, Elissa Silverman, Brianne Nadeau, Zachary Parker, and Anita Bonds.
Councilmember Pinto worked closely with multiple stakeholders on these proposals and would like to thank the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV) Policy Task Force, Safe Shores – The DC Children’s Advocacy Center, DC Rape Crisis Center, and Children's National Hospital for their partnership.
“At Volunteer Legal Advocates, we know that domestic violence and firearms are a lethal combination,” said Sara Tennen, Executive Director at Volunteer Legal Advocates. “Research shows that a gun in the home raises the risk of homicide for women by 500%. This bill takes important steps to enhance enforcement of and compliance with firearm relinquishment orders in civil protection order cases. Removing these weapons from abusers directly protects survivors and gives them the safety and security they need to pursue justice and rebuild their lives.”
“At a time when domestic violence cases are on the rise across the District, this bill is a step forward in addressing survivor-identified gaps in current law,” said Micaela Deming, Policy Director for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV). “The bill aims to improve how law enforcement and the courts understand domestic violence to better account for survivor safety. We appreciate CM Pinto’s Office’s dedication to working with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and our member programs and for their continued efforts to supporting survivors.”
The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee will hold a public roundtable on domestic violence and sexual abuse and will include discussion on the “Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act” and the “Protecting Victims Amendment Act” on October 27th.
