As a society, we can never hope to eradicate the burden of family violence unless we understand how policy, laws, and attitudes affect both its frequency and its treatment.  To that end, the Family Violence Institute is already working to improve local policies that affect our families.  

Examples of the work that we are doing include the following:

• Through the work of the Indiana State Child Fatality Review Team, we are making suggestions that will improve the outcomes for our most tragic cases.   Suggestions highlighted in the most recent reports are:

1. Improvements to the Indiana state and local fatality review processes
2. Making mandated reporter training a requirement on campus and in healthcare facilities
3. Improving death scene investigation practices
4. Offering coverage for mental health services through insurance

• Indiana House Enrolled Act No. 1387 makes intimidation via cruelty to animals part of the legal definition of domestic violence.  Read the act in its entirety here.
• An automatice issuance of protective orders, if children are in earshot of domestic violence