Maryland domestic violence reform supported by law students

Law students Kelci Dansie and Barbara Monteiro de Souza are being recognized for their work with the social justice institute Helping Ourselves to Transform (HOTT). Their efforts focus on advancing a survivor-centered bill in Maryland designed to improve how the legal system responds to domestic violence cases.

The project addresses a systemic gap regarding incarcerated women who are survivors of domestic violence, noting that such trauma often influences the conduct leading to incarceration. Through a partnership with We The Action, the students provided legal research, legislative drafting, and policy coordination to help integrate survivor pathways into legal and policy responses.