In a powerful push for reform, advocates at the Oregon House Committee on Judiciary meeting on April 21, 2025, emphasized the urgent need for trauma-informed training for judges handling domestic violence cases. Survivors shared harrowing experiences, highlighting how a lack of understanding about the complexities of abuse can lead to devastating outcomes for victims and their children.

Senate Bill 710 was the focal point of the discussion, aiming to mandate evidence-based education for judges on the dynamics of domestic violence, including coercive control and lethality risk factors. Advocates argued that without this training, judges may unintentionally place survivors and their children at greater risk during court proceedings. "Oregon has some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country," one advocate stated, underscoring that trauma-informed judicial education is not a luxury but a necessity.

Survivors like Jen Bartholomew and Lisa Jones recounted their struggles within the legal system, where they felt unheard and unsupported. Bartholomew described how her attempts to convey the truth were overshadowed by her abuser's narrative, while Jones shared the painful consequences of a court system that failed to recognize the trauma she and her children endured. "Judges must be trauma-informed and educated on the dynamics of abuse that survivors face," Jones urged.

The testimonies painted a stark picture of a judicial system that often overlooks the realities of domestic violence, leading to rulings that can perpetuate harm rather than provide safety. Advocates called for immediate action, emphasizing that the training proposed in Senate Bill 710 could be life-saving for many families.

As the committee deliberates on the bill, the voices of survivors resonate strongly, reminding lawmakers of the critical need for a judicial system that prioritizes understanding and protection for those affected by domestic violence. The outcome of this bill could reshape the landscape of justice for countless survivors in Oregon.