*This page will be continuously updated as we launch more campaign elements
At the Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), we are especially grateful for the first responders who dedicate their lives to protecting victims and communities but take time out of their demanding schedules to grow their skills and strengthen their response at CCAW.
This year, our spotlight turns to law enforcement officers, the first on scene in countless domestic violence calls. These calls are so frequent that they can feel routine. There’s a sense of safety in routine, but these calls are anything but safe for officers.
Domestic violence calls are among the most volatile and deadly situations officers face. In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in officer fatalities tied directly to these calls:
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Nearly 10% of all officers killed in the line of duty were responding to domestic violence incidents. [cbsnews.com]
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In Kansas, two officers were killed within four months while helping women escape their abusers. [kshb.com]
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In Pennsylvania, three detectives were ambushed and killed while responding to a stalking-related domestic call. [msn.com]
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In Colorado, domestic violence deaths rose by 24% last year, with firearms involved in 75% of those fatalities. [denver7.com]
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In Ohio, one officer was killed and another wounded in domestic violence incidents just this year. [news5cleveland.com]
These are not isolated tragedies; they are part of a national crisis. The person willing to harm the one they claim to love is just as willing to harm the officer who intervenes.
In response, we are launching our Officer Safety Campaign, running through May 2026 and culminating at CCAW. This campaign will spotlight the lethality, complexity, and unpredictability of domestic violence calls and equip officers with the tools, training, and awareness to protect themselves while protecting women.
Campaign Elements:
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Blog post on Officer Safety on DV calls
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Podcast on Crimes Against Women (PCAW) episodes
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Institute for Coordinated Community Response (ICCR) webinar
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National Training Center on Crimes Against Women (NTC) training
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Lethality Roll Call Training
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CCAW Officer Safety Preconference
We invite you to register now for the Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), where you’ll dive deeper into offender pathology, red flag laws, and tactical response strategies. This is not just about saving victims – it’s about saving officers.
