Dr. LaVonda Fowler, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) Governing Board, attended the 20th Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas (May 19-22, 2025),  to share North Carolina’s innovative domestic violence program and highlight its progress over the past four and a half years.

Caitlyn’s Courage: Technology Saving Lives

The program, originally known as Caitlyn’s Courage, began after the tragic death of Caitlyn Whitehurst, whose father turned his grief into action by creating a way for victims to receive real-time notification when their abuser is nearby. This technology-driven domestic violence program was first launched as a nonprofit and later transitioned to state management under CJIN, where it continues to save lives by preventing domestic violence homicides across North Carolina.

How the Program Works

Since transitioning to CJIN, the program is now known as the CJIN Electronic GPS Monitoring Program. It equips domestic violence victims and offenders with GPS monitoring devices that allows notification of both parties as well as law enforcement if the offender comes too close, providing victims with real-time alerts and a chance to get to safety. The program shifts accountability to the offender while allowing victims to reclaim their lives with added protection, and it is fully funded by the state, removing financial barriers for participation.

The program uses tamper-detecting GPS ankle monitors with vibration alerts if a device is not charged, ensuring compliance and enabling a law enforcement response if tampering or noncompliance occurs. Paired victim units (about the size of a pager) provide immediate notifications via calls and texts, prioritizing victim safety. The system includes 24/7 live monitoring through a North Carolina-based call center, ensuring human oversight for every alert and response.

Statewide Growth and Impact

The CJIN Electronic GPS Monitoring Program has scaled significantly, with participation growing by over 845% since the pilot phase, and now operates in 53 counties across North Carolina. This growth demonstrates its effectiveness in protecting victims, holding offenders accountable, and offering an alternative to pretrial detention, with plans to continue expanding to support broader community safety.