Reno Justice Court has launched HER Court (Hope, Empowerment, Recovery), a new therapeutic court in Northern Nevada focused on helping women in the justice system.
The program will begin on Monday, October 13, and was created in alignment with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
HER Court is led by Judge Ryan Katherine Sullivan and supported by a primarily female team that includes clinicians, case managers, a probation officer, a prosecutor, a public defender, and a program coordinator.
The program is designed to provide trauma-responsive, gender-specific services to women facing misdemeanor charges in Washoe County.
Nevada continues to report some of the highest rates of violence against women in the United States. The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey shows 61.8 percent of Nevada women have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. More than half have experienced physical violence, with nearly half of those incidents classified as severe.
HER Court aims to address the underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior, such as trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges.
“Addressing the root of the problem is key. Often, substance use is covering or numbing the pain of unaddressed trauma,” Judge Sullivan said. “HER Court takes on these issues directly and aims to stop destructive patterns and decrease recidivism.”
The program includes a structured system of phases that participants move through as they meet goals and appear regularly before the judge. Services offered include trauma therapy, substance use treatment, medical and mental health care, parenting and childcare education, nutrition, financial literacy, and survivor advocacy. Additional components include yoga, meditation, book-based learning, and courthouse-based therapy groups such as DBT and Seeking Safety.
HER Court is expected to serve 30 to 40 people in its first year. To be eligible, participants must have a misdemeanor case, meet partial or full diagnostic criteria for complex PTSD or PTSD, be assessed as high risk and high need, and be determined suitable for gender-responsive services through court evaluation.
People who complete the 12–18 month program may have charges dismissed or convictions set aside.
“We want women in this program to feel seen, understood, and supported in every aspect of their lives. HER court is not just about resolving a criminal case, but ensuring women reclaim their health, independence, and stability,” said Emily Ruff, Program Coordinator of Reno Justice Court Specialty Courts. “Women face unique barriers, and HER Court is our way of filling that gap and offering meaningful support to women in Northern Nevada.”
While HER Court is designed for women, others who may benefit from trauma-informed, gender-responsive services may also be eligible. Attorneys, service providers, and community members are encouraged to refer people who qualify.
The goal of HER Court is to reduce recidivism, ease pressure on the justice system, and build safer communities by supporting long-term recovery and stability.
