ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence

04/03/2026

We are so proud to celebrate Ruth Perrin, who has been named a 40 Under 40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyer by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

At the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence, our mission is to mobilize the legal profession to increase access to justice and safety for survivors, and Ruth brings that mission to life every day. Her compassion, dedication, and commitment to advancing equity for LGBTQ+ communities strengthen our work and inspire others.

This honor is incredibly well deserved. Congratulations, Ruth!

03/23/2026

We are proud to launch the 2026 Corbitt and Kaye Awards, recognizing exceptional leadership in strengthening the legal response to gender-based violence.

The Sharon L. Corbitt Award honors a lawyer from any area of practice whose service and leadership have improved the legal response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking.

The Judith S. Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence recognizes judicial officers who demonstrate deep knowledge of domestic and sexual violence and outstanding leadership in developing effective courtroom responses.

Help us recognize the professionals whose dedication advances justice, safety, and meaningful change for survivors.

Nominations are due Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Link to Nominations: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/awards/award-nominations/

03/09/2026

Many victims and survivors of abuse have concerns about keeping their personal information safe online. Some abusers chose to misuse that information in order to stalk and harass survivors. This can make those concerns especially acute. This is one reason why it’s important for tech companies to c...

02/19/2026

The Commission proudly recognizes Commission Member Hon. Melissa Pope, Chief Judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court, for receiving the Judge Libby Hines Domestic Violence Award from the American Judges Association.

This national honor reflects Judge Pope’s extraordinary leadership and longstanding commitment to addressing domestic and sexual violence, strengthening survivor-centered justice, and advancing safety and healing within Tribal communities.

Judge Pope’s contributions to the field have also been recognized by the Judith S. Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence, presented by the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence, a testament to her enduring impact and dedication to justice.

We are honored to serve alongside Judge Pope and celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her work.

Chief Judge Melissa Pope of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court received the Judge Libby Hines Domestic Violence Award from the American Judges Association last week.

12/26/2025

The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence extends warm wishes for a meaningful Kwanzaa season to all who observe.
Heri za Kwanzaa!

12/22/2025

Thank you for making this year meaningful.

Happy holidays & happy new year from the CDSV Team!

12/15/2025

The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence extends our warmest wishes for a meaningful Hanukkah to all who observe! Chag Sameach!

11/03/2025

November is Native American Heritage Month. A time to honor the vibrant histories, cultures, and lasting contributions of Native peoples across this land. Our image was created with care to celebrate this month in a way that uplifts and respects Indigenous communities without using cultural symbols, sacred designs, or tribal imagery.

10/23/2025

Dear Colleagues and Friends –

Today is ! Please consider making a gift to the Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence, in any amount significant to you, to increase access to justice for domestic & sexual violence victims and survivors. Your gift will help create a future that is violence free, and in which all people can live and grow to their greatest potential.

It takes a collective effort to transform lives and protect the well-being of our communities. Charitable gifts received fund the Commission’s critical work to provide trainings and resources, and so much more.

Thank you for your commitment to building the sustainability and skillsets of legal organizations and front-line attorneys needed to mobilize the legal profession to advocate for domestic & sexual violence victims and survivors.

Donate Now: https://givingday.americanbar.org/campaigns/commission-on-domestic-and-sexual-violence-1

10/15/2025

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CDSV is honored to share Remla Parthasarathy’s compelling short story about the experience of vicarious trauma working in this field. (Content Warning: Domestic violence, sexual abuse.) https://crimevictimshelpny.org/news/article.818430-Just_Work For resources on mitigating vicarious trauma, please check out our Trauma-Informed Representation Project. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/our-projects/trauma-informed-representation/

© Remla Parthasarathy, 2025, Published on the NY Crime Victims Legal Help/Empire Justice Center blog with the author’s permission.

10/09/2025

Airing now! ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice's October Chair Chat features our Commission member Carla Sánchez-Adams and Commission chair Maleaha Brown. Together, they explore how economic abuse functions as a form of coercive control--limiting survivors' financial freedom, deepening cycles of poverty, and hindering recovery long after physical abuse ends.

Discover the impact of coerced debt and economic abuse as Carla Sánchez-Adams, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, joins Maleaha Brown, Chai...