Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser is partnering with U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro to urge the D.C. Council to pass increased protections for domestic violence victims.
The two district leaders said their proposed legislation, the Protecting Victims Amendment Act of 2026, is due to the increasing number of domestic violence-related assault with a dangerous weapon charges throughout the city. They framed the act as a way of intervening before the trend becomes much worse.
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“Even as overall crime declines, the persistence of domestic violence—and the tragic rise in domestic violence homicides—underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement tools,” Pirro said in a statement. “The Protecting Victims Amendment Act will help ensure that the most dangerous offenders can be identified, detained when appropriate, and held fully accountable under the law.”
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One in 4 homicides this year across Washington have been related to domestic violence incidents, according to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffery Carroll. Across the board, D.C.’s assault with a dangerous weapon charges are up 36% year to date.
The crime statistics come as total violent crime is down 5% in the nation’s capital.
Bowser and Pirro’s legislation, which they have recommended to the council, aims to enhance privacy and safety protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence, while bolstering enforcement against offenders.
“With the Protecting Victims Amendment Act, we want victims and survivors to know that we are here for them, and we want abusers to know that they will face swift and certain consequences,” Bowser said.
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The 14-page bill improves enforcement of no-contact orders, ups repeat violations of protection orders to felony offenses, and provides protection to witnesses and victims who report domestic violence crimes. It also gives courts more ability to detain abusers who harm their victims before a domestic violence trial.
“This legislation is about making sure that survivors are protected and that their safety and privacy are respected,” Bowser said. “It’s also about making sure that when someone needs help, they can trust that help will be there, and that when someone breaks the law, there are clear and consistent consequences.”
