Savannah's Law supports CHIPS in aiding survivors

A new Tennessee law creating a domestic violence offender registry could strengthen survivor safety, according to advocates at CHIPS in Erwin. Savannah's Law, approved during the most recent Tennessee legislative session, requires the creation of a statewide registry for repeat domestic violence offenders. Lawmakers say the measure is designed to strengthen accountability, improve victim safety and give communities clearer information about patterns of abuse. Carolyn McAmis, executive director of Change Is Possible, known as CHIPS, said the registry addresses a long-standing gap survivors face when entering or leaving relationships. "For CHIPS as well as other domestic violence programs across the state, it's going to protect victims by making information about repeat offenders more available," McAmis said. "Oftentimes when we begin a new relationship, we don't really know who we're dating. We may see red flags, but we don't really know." McAmis said survivors often hear informal warnings about a partner's past but have no reliable way to confirm them. "This gives us a tool to be able to look that up," she said. "It helps determine if this person is a repeat offender, or if they have been violent in the past — which helps individuals make informed decisions and hopefully get out of that relationship before it's too late." CHIPS is a nonprofit domestic violence shelter founded in 1992 that serves Carter, Greene and Unicoi counties. The organization provides emergency shelter, advocacy, safety planning and counseling using a trauma-informed care approach that tailors services to individual needs. McAmis said a public registry could change how safety planning works for victims and advocates in Unicoi County and beyond. She said shelters, legal advocates and service providers can use the registry to compare a client's concerns with documented conviction histories. "That helps validate patterns of abuse, advocate more effectively in court, prioritize support services and identify when escalation is likely," McAmis said. CHIPS serves about 200 clients each year, with roughly 32 coming from Unicoi County, according to McAmis. The average stay in the shelter's safe house is about 45 days, a number she said has dropped significantly with the use of rapid rehousing programs. "Prior to rapid rehousing, shelter stays could be six months because it took a significant amount of time for individuals to save up for deposits and rent," she said. "Now we can pay deposits, first month's rent and a portion of utilities, which really gives them some financial stability to start over." McAmis said Savannah's Law could also shift how repeat domestic violence offenses are viewed by the public and the justice system. "Being listed on a public registry sends a strong message that repeat domestic violence convictions are serious, with consequences beyond sentencing alone," she said. "It aligns the way society treats repeat domestic violence offenders more closely with how other repeat offenders, like sex offenders, are tracked." She said that visibility may help prevent domestic violence from being dismissed as isolated incidents. "It helps shift public and institutional perceptions so repeat domestic violence is not treated as a one-time thing, but as part of a pattern," McAmis said. At the same time, McAmis said the registry is not without risks, particularly for survivor safety. "Public identification of an offender can increase anger, shame or loss of control," she said. "It could trigger retaliation against the survivor or escalate stalking, harassment or coercion, especially right after release or court involvement." She said those concerns mirror what survivors often experience when seeking orders of protection. "A lot of victims tell us they didn't call law enforcement or get an order of protection because they were afraid it would escalate the violence," McAmis said. "It can also give a false sense of security." McAmis said the law reinforces the work CHIPS already does but does not replace the need for comprehensive support. "The law promotes transparency and accountability while CHIPS promotes safety, stability and survivor autonomy," she said. "Together, we create a more complete response, where accountability is paired with compassion and information is paired with support." She said the registry could lead to more people reaching out for help as awareness grows. "Survivors may recognize a pattern of abuse and feel more empowered to seek services once they know there's a formal system acknowledging repeat offenses," McAmis said. McAmis emphasized that legislation alone cannot address the full reality of domestic violence. "Laws respond to incidents, but domestic violence is a pattern of coercive control," she said. "It often happens behind closed doors, escalates slowly and includes emotional, financial and psychological abuse long before physical violence." She said the common question of why victims do not leave ignores the risks involved. "Violence often escalates when control is threatened, and the risk of serious harm or homicide increases after separation," McAmis said. "Legislation doesn't automatically make leaving safer. Planning, support and timing do." As Savannah's Law moves toward implementation, McAmis said community involvement remains crucial. She encouraged residents to learn about domestic violence services, share accurate information and support organizations like CHIPS through donations, volunteering and shopping at the CHIPS thrift store, which helps fund survivor services and shelter operations. "There's always something to be done," McAmis said. "And every bit of support helps create a safer path forward for survivors."