NE North Dakota News

UND student and faculty researchers are collaborating with the local court system to address domestic violence in the region. This effort is part of the UND CONNECT program, which funds research and experiential learning projects aimed at improving quality of life in North Dakota. Previously, the researchers received support from the College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Fund.

Three faculty members from UND's Criminal Justice department—Adam Matz, Ashley Fansher, and Roni Mayzer—are working with the Grand Forks County Domestic Violence Court (GFDVC) to evaluate its effectiveness. They are joined by undergraduate students Jackson Archbold and Kambrya Stephenson, along with graduate research assistant Sierra Schartz.

Established in 2018 with a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a U.S. Department of Justice entity, GFDVC is North Dakota's first court dedicated to handling intimate partner violence cases post-conviction. The court collaborates with the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) to implement its programs.

The court mandates that offenders meet specific conditions during their participation, such as abstaining from substance use and securing full-time employment. Archbold noted that this structure allows for better monitoring of offenders' progress compared to traditional probation methods.

Judge Jason McCarthy, who presides over GFDVC, reported that approximately 85% of participants who complete the program do not re-offend within three years. Stephenson emphasized that GFDVC offers holistic interventions that help individuals improve various aspects of their lives.

McCarthy commended UND's involvement over the past two years for providing valuable feedback on the court's operations. "The (UND CONNECT) program has given us invaluable support," he said.

Matz expressed optimism about expanding similar interventions across North Dakota and mentioned plans to collaborate with CVIC on a grant proposal for additional OVW funding.