Domestic violence remains a serious problem in Tennessee but Savanna’s Law aims to raise public awareness with a statewide registry of repeat offenders.

The registry is meant to help families identify people with a history of abuse and provide law enforcement with another tool to track high-risk individuals. Between January and October of 2025, at least 37 Tennesseans were killed in 33 incidents linked to domestic violence.

Ericka Downing, executive director of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in Murfreesboro, said Savanna’s Law is drawing national attention as other states push for similar registries. Tennessee is the first state with a public registry focused specifically on persistent domestic violence offenders.

"There is a time restriction for the convictions and it depends on the number of prior convictions," Downing explained. "The first prior conviction, the offender will be removed from the list after five years from the date of the most recent conviction."

Downing emphasized the registry should never be used to place responsibility on survivors or suggest they could have prevented what happened by checking it. She stressed it is not a complete list of offenders and does not guarantee safety, since it only includes people with qualifying convictions.

The law took effect Jan. 1 and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Downing pointed out support is available for anyone experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, adding her organization offers services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Individuals do not have to reside in Rutherford County to receive assistance. They only need to identify themselves as a survivor of one of these crimes.

"We provide a couple of services within our organization," Downing outlined. "We help individuals file petitions for an order of protection. So they are requesting immediate protection against an individual and they are in immediate fear, threat or harm against a party, and they need that immediate protection. So it's a civil stay-away order."

Downing's organization operates a 31-bed emergency shelter for men, women and children fleeing domestic violence. They also offer counseling for current and past survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, with in-person, telehealth and phone options. The organization has an on-site forensic exam room where a specially trained nurse conducts sexual assault exams, with an advocate present for support.

Downing underscored their goal is to ensure survivors feel heard, believed and empowered as they regain control and move forward.

Source: Public News Service