From Home to Harm

Understanding the Connection Between Domestic Violence and Youth Justice Involvement

Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse invites community partners to a two-day training on the intersection of domestic violence (DV), community violence, firearms and their impact on youth. Join us to better understand how the trauma of family and community violence impacts youth involvement in the juvenile justice system—and to identify opportunities for prevention, intervention, and systemic change in our community.

Dr. Bernadine Waller and Dr. Chuka Emezue will discuss the mental health impacts of DV and community violence on youth, with a special focus on young men and boys who end up in the justice system after intervening to protect a parent experiencing abuse. Eduardo Bocanegra will bring his lived experience and expertise in violence prevention and intervention to help connect these issues to community safety, healing, and systems change.



Register to take part in this learning opportunity and lend your voice to the discussion of this community safety issue.

About the Presenters



• Bernadine Waller, PhD, LMHC is an international award-winning Assistant Professor and principal investigator of the DIVAA Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a Research Scientist at New York State Psychiatric Institute. She is an implementation scientist who partners with faith- and community- based organizations to tailor and implement sustainable evidence-based mental health interventions for underserved survivors of intimate partner violence.
• Dr. Chuka Emezue, PhD, MPH, MPA, CHES is an Assistant Professor and the John L. and Helen Kellogg Endowed Faculty Scholar at Rush University College of Nursing in Chicago. His research and practice sit at the intersection of youth mental health, firearm and community violence prevention, fatherhood, and structural health inequities, with a focus on boys and men who use and survive violence.
• Eduardo Bocanegra is a nationally recognized expert in community violence intervention, criminal justice reform, and healing-centered approaches to public safety. His career has been shaped by a deep commitment to creating intentional pathways for people who are formerly incarcerated, elevating community leadership while building public safety.

Important Details

• Check-in: 8:30 a.m. | Training begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.
• Space is limited. Registration is required to attend.
• Lunch will be provided. By registering in advance, we can ensure your dietary needs are accommodated.

Parking Information

The training will take place in Pima County Courts' Training Center, Building M, east of the Juvenile Court Building. To ensure a smooth arrival experience, all attendees are asked to park in the lot nearest to the Training Center (pictured below).