WPCNR'S PAULIN ON POLITICS. By District 88 Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. April 18, 2004: Currently, loopholes in the law leave victims vulnerable to abuse even after they seek help. Abusers can even learn in court where the victims who have escaped are living. To help curb this injustice, I sponsored legislation authorizing a person to keep his or her address confidential when a court recognizes that disclosure would pose a risk to the health or safety of that party (A.10103). This confidentiality law is already mandated in family court, and my legislation extends these same rights to civil courts.
As former executive director of My Sisters’ Place, an agency that provides comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, I have seen first-hand the trauma and frustration associated with domestic violence. Domestic violence victims endure unimaginable emotional, physical, sexual and psychological abuse. When they finally find the courage to leave they are often left to fend for themselves.
This bill will also ensure that if someone has lived in a residential program for victims of domestic violence, the address of the residence will not be revealed by the court or any court personnel.
To protect domestic violence victims, I’ve also written numerous laws that address domestic violence, including legislation that:
· increases the maximum duration of an order of protection from one to two years and, with aggravating circumstances, a maximum of 5 years — while also enabling the court to issue an order for a maximum of 5 years for violation of a prior valid order of protection (Ch. 579 of 2003);
· creates a new “Peace at Home” license plate to generate funds and raise awareness of abuse and violence that occurs in homes (Ch. 634 of 2002); and
· enhances protection for victims of harassment or threats of violence (Ch. 385 of 2001).
The last thing victims recovering from domestic violence need to worry about is if they are dwelling in unsafe surroundings. Senator Saland is sponsoring this bill in the Senate. I urge the Senate and governor to quickly pass this bill and make it law so that victims of domestic violence feel safe in their homes. I will continue working to protect victims’ rights and work to ensure victims of domestic violence do not have to endure further pain because of impractical laws.
