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The National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence Celebrates 25 Years!

This year, 2024, marks the 25th Anniversary of the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence (NJIDV). Launched in 1999, NJIDV offers education programs for judges from around the country, helping them develop or enhance their skills in handling a wide range of criminal and civil cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, elder abuse, and stalking. The NJIDV hands-on, interactive workshops offer information on the dynamics of domestic violence, elder abuse, and related issues, as well as practical advice from experienced judges and other professionals on how to handle all aspects of these complex cases fairly and effectively.

We are excited to announce this new dedicated NJIDV 25th Anniversary webpage to learn more about the history of NJIDV, register for special 25th Anniversary virtual and in-person judicial education programs and events, and view resources addressing foundational and emerging issues relevant to judicial officers presiding over cases involving domestic abuse. Please check back often for news, updates, and events!

Inspired by This I Believe, Inc., an independent, non-profit organization that engages youth and adults from all walks of life in writing, sharing, and discussing brief essays about core values that guide their daily lives, and its National Public Radio (NPR) series that featured selected contemporary This I Believe essays in regular broadcasts.

EVENTS

We are excited to announce the 2024 dates for the NJIDV Anniversary program. In addition to the Enhancing Judicial Skills in Domestic Violence Cases (EJS) Workshop, we are hosting a Pre-Institute the afternoon before each EJS workshop to highlight emerging issues around intimate partner violence of particular interest to judicial officers. More information will be provided with the acceptance letter for the June or December programs.

The EJS workshop will address domestic violence topics using hypothetical case problems, role-play exercises, small group discussions, and faculty demonstrations. This highly interactive format enables judges from different jurisdictions and levels of experience to learn one another.

All state and tribal court judges and judicial officers nationwide are eligible to attend this workshop. Participation for each workshop is limited to 50 attendees. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.

There is no charge for the educational portion of these workshops. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and are responsible for all travel-related costs.

These programs are pending approval. Please do not make travel arrangements until you have been confirmed by the registrar. Scholarship funding is available to assist with airfare and/or lodging costs.

To apply for scholarship funding, or if you have any questions about the EJS workshop please contact, Jenny Talancon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NJIDV FACULTY HIGHLIGHT

Peter/Jaffe

Peter Jaffe, PhD, Professor Emeritus

"I was very fortunate to be part of the initial group that developed NJIDV and honored to continue to be part of its ongoing development over 25 years. It is the best training experience I was ever involved in because I was part of an amazing team who was dedicated to continuous program enhancements and keeping the program up to date. I have learned so much about effective adult education and applying that knowledge to the challenges judges face in dealing with domestic violence cases."

Dr. Jaffe is a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at Western University. He is Director Emeritus of the London Family Court Clinic, a children's mental health center specializing in issues that bring children and families into the justice system in London, Ontario. He has co-authored 11 books, 40 chapters and over 90 articles related to children, families, and the justice system and presented workshops on family violence across the United States and Canada, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Europe to various groups, including judges, lawyers, mental health professionals and educators. He has testified as an expert in domestic violence in 7 US states and 5 Canadian provinces. He was a founding member of Canada's first Domestic Violence Death Review Committee through the Office of Ontario's Chief Coroner.

OUR HISTORY