Policy & Legislation

The North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition engages in legislative work on behalf of our 19 member organizations and victims and survivors in our state. Over the last 45+ years, nearly all the laws and public policies benefiting victims of domestic and sexual violence in North Dakota were implemented through the advocacy and leadership of NDDSVC and our member organizations.

These changes to North Dakota public policy include:

• Making marital rape a crime
• Establishing orders of protection
• Protecting confidentiality for domestic and sexual violence advocates
• Ensuring that the state pays for sexual assault forensic evidence examinations instead of the victim
• Establishing funds for domestic and sexual violence prevention
• Adding to the Domestic Violence Protection Order Statute to allow for an individual to seek a DVPO based on an allegation of stalking

We are also responsible for designing the plan used to award state funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services. The plan allows for equitable distribution of funds among eligible programs to stabilize and provide access to domestic violence and sexual assault services throughout the state.

In addition to our state level efforts, we advocate for federal funding and legislation to address the needs of victims. NDDSVC prioritizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).