Norma Peterson
Executive Director, Document The Abuse
Speaker • Trainer • Advocate
Norma Peterson is a nationally recognized victim advocate, speaker, and trainer with over a decade of leadership in the movement to prevent domestic violence and support survivors. As Executive Director of Document The Abuse, she educates law enforcement, legal professionals, and community responders on the use of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA), a powerful tool that preserves a victim’s voice for use in future legal proceedings.
Norma and trains professionals and advocates across the country to implement this innovative method of documentation. Her collaborative approach has led to partnerships with legislators, domestic violence coalitions, and law enforcement agencies to build stronger investigative protocols and improve outcomes for survivors.
In addition to her work with Document The Abuse, Norma serves as the Illinois State Coordinator for the CUE Center for Missing Persons, offering direct support to families and coordinating with agencies during searches and investigations. She is a sought-after speaker at national conferences, including NAWLEE and the National Missing Persons Conference, and frequently appears in major media outlets such as Dateline NBC, Crime Watch Daily, and Snapped.
A member of the Illinois Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and the DuPage Family Violence Coordinating Council, Norma brings passion, professionalism, and firsthand experience to every training and speaking engagement. Her mission is clear: to empower survivors, equip professionals, and advocate for systems that save lives.