This chapter examines abolitionist theory as a framework for understanding and addressing family violence outside of traditional carceral responses. Abolitionist theory critiques the criminal legal system—police, courts, jails, and prisons—arguing that these institutions exacerbate inequality, perpetuate racial and gendered violence, and fail to deliver safety or justice. Rooted in the legacies of slavery, Reconstruction, and the civil rights movement, abolitionist thought builds on the work of W.E.B. Du Bois, Angela Y. Davis, Mariame Kaba, and others who highlight the racialized and gendered harms of criminalization. The chapter outlines three interrelated abolitionist projects: (1) scholarly analysis of how the carceral system reproduces inequality, (2) a political commitment to transformative justice that centers care, repair, and accountability, and (3) collective organizing to build communities that “keep us safe.” Abolitionist theory has significantly influenced the study of intimate partner violence (IPV), child welfare, and critiques of carceral feminism, demonstrating how punitive interventions often harm survivors, particularly women of color, LGBTQ + individuals, and poor communities. Practical abolitionist interventions, including clemency campaigns for criminalized survivors and community-based prevention programs, illustrate both the promise and challenges of this framework. The chapter concludes by addressing critiques while reaffirming abolition’s vision of justice rooted in care, accountability, and liberation.