October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to reaffirm our commitment to survivor-centered justice and equip prosecutors with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of domestic violence cases. At APA, we recognize that prosecuting DV cases requires not only legal expertise but also trauma-informed strategies, cross-sector collaboration, and ongoing professional development. Read on for trainings, materials, and other resources you can rely on in your domestic violence prosecution strategy.

🧠 Upcoming Training: Essential Skills for Prosecuting Domestic Violence Cases

Join APA for a virtual, skills-based training designed to help prosecutors build foundational practices for handling DV cases effectively.
📅 Date: October 16, 2025
🕒 Time: 12:00–2:30 PM ET
🎓 CLE: 2 hours MCLE (CA) + certificate
💲 Fee: $100 APA Members / $150 Non-members
📌 Topics include:

• Victim recantation: why it happens and how to respond  
• Forfeiture by wrongdoing: legal standards and courtroom strategies  
• Avoiding revictimization: trauma-informed approaches to examination and case handling
  🔗Register here!

📚 Explore APA’s Domestic Violence Resource Hub

APA’s Domestic Violence Prosecution resource page offers a comprehensive library of tools and trainings to support prosecutors at every level. Highlights include:  

• Model policies for DV case management  
• Webinars on trauma-informed prosecution, victim advocacy, and courtroom strategies  
• Checklists for working with victim advocates and building collaborative teams  
• Guides on evidence-informed practices, jail call analysis, and expert witness preparation  
• Insights on emerging trends like strangulation prosecution, animal abuse as an indicator of DV, and elder abuse cases

🧘 Prosecutor Wellness & Vicarious Trauma

Handling DV cases can take an emotional toll. APA’s resources also include guidance on managing vicarious trauma and promoting wellness among prosecutorial staff. These tools are designed to help offices build sustainable, supportive environments for those doing this critical work.

Learn more about this developing resource here.

👥 Join APA

Not yet a member of APA? Join our membership to access exclusive trainings, downloadable toolkits, CLE opportunities, and a national network of prosecutors committed to justice!