In January 2026, Governor Phil Murphy signed two new laws that reflect a growing recognition of how domestic violence impacts people’s lives, both within the criminal legal system and in ongoing safety planning for survivors.
Together, these laws signal a shift toward more trauma-informed approaches that prioritize survivor safety, context, and dignity.
Recognizing the Role of Abuse in Incarceration
One of the laws signed into effect is the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, which addresses how courts consider domestic violence in sentencing decisions.
For many survivors, particularly women, abuse and coercive control played a significant role in the circumstances that led to their incarceration. In the past, those experiences were often excluded from legal consideration, even when trauma, fear, or survival responses were central to what occurred.
Under this new law, judges may consider a person’s history of domestic violence or substantial abuse as a mitigating factor during sentencing if the abuse contributed to the offense. The law also creates a pathway for people who are currently incarcerated to petition for resentencing, allowing courts to review whether abuse influenced their original sentence.
Related legislation further expands access to expungement relief for survivors whose criminal records stem from abuse-related circumstances, helping remove long-term barriers to housing, employment, and stability.
This law does not remove accountability. Instead, it acknowledges context and recognizes that justice is more complete when the full story is considered.
Strengthening Safety After Restraining Order Violations
In addition, Governor Murphy signed legislation establishing a four-year pilot program allowing courts to order electronic GPS monitoring for individuals convicted of violating a domestic violence restraining order, when the victim consents.
The program, launching in Ocean County, is designed to enhance survivor safety by providing real-time alerts if the restrained person enters prohibited areas. Both survivors and law enforcement can be notified, providing an added layer of protection when restraining orders alone have not been sufficient.
This law reflects the reality that restraining order violations pose a serious risk and that survivors deserve tools to prevent further harm, not just to respond to it after the fact.
Why these laws matter
Taken together, these laws reflect a broader shift in how domestic violence is understood within public policy. They recognize that abuse can shape behavior, decisions, and long-term outcomes, and that systems must respond with both accountability and care.
At Younity, we see how gaps in legal protection and understanding can compound harm for victim-survivors. Progress does not come from a single law, but from continued efforts to align policy with lived experience.
These new protections represent meaningful steps toward a justice system that is more responsive, more informed, and more focused on safety and dignity for those impacted by domestic violence.
