Justice Committee

We are pleased to share our published white papers and their impact on the larger community.

• Improving Local Sexual Assault Kit Tracking Systems
• Shackling of Pregnant Inmates
• Sex Trafficking
• Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
• Women Ex-Felons, Employment and Recidivism
• Women, Domestic Violence, and Eviction

The effects of our work are listed below.  Some are works in progress.

• Shackling of Pregnant Inmates - As a result of our study, police departments in the Chattanooga area reviewed their shackling policies and moderated them relative to women in their 3rd trimester.  Additionally, legislation was introduced by Tennessee Senator Raumesh Akbari to prohibit the state’s inconsistent use of shackling. SB 1412 was assigned to the General Subcommittee of the Senate State and Local Government Committee as of April 13, 2021.
• Sex Trafficking - As a result of our study, the Chattanooga Police Department has created, and continues to upgrade its training and policies relative to all Human Trafficking.
• Women Ex-Felons, Employment and Recidivism - As a result of our study, the TN Department of Labor & Workforce provided a mobile career bus to our region to assist female ex-felons create resumes and pursue occupational goals.
• Women, Domestic Violence, Eviction - As a result of this study,  women joined together to change the state law.  Now domestic violence victims are no longer evicted based solely on domestic abuse.