New Protection for Victims of Stalking, Abuse
A bill signed on February 9, 2010, by Governor Deval Patrick, after a lengthy and emotional ceremony at the State House, extends criminally enforceable protection orders to victims of stalking or sexual abuse who do not know those menacing them. Under the old law, victims of sexual abuse or stalking could petition the courts for a protective order only if the abuser or stalker was a family member, someone living in their home, or someone with whom they had a “substantial dating relationship.’’
“As a community, we cannot allow victims of abuse to live in fear of their perpetrator,’’ Patrick said. “This new law closes a glaring loophole by ensuring the full extent of the justice system is available to protect sexual assault victims.’’
Protection orders are one of the few legal instances where police have no discretion: If someone violates an order, he or she must be arrested.
Police and law enforcement officials from around the area, including Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe, and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley were in attendance, as were leaders of victims’ rights groups, including Mary R. Lauby, executive director of Jane Doe Inc., and Stephanie DeCandia from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.
“We’ve learned from years of advocacy and working with survivors that restraining orders are effective tools in the prevention of harassment and violence,’’ said Mary R. Lauby, executive director of Jane Doe Inc. “When victims are safe, they are better able and more likely to participate in criminal justice interventions that hold offenders accountable.’’
The bill took 10 years to pass, finally winning unanimous approval in the House of Representatives and the Senate on Feb. 4. Now, violation of a protective order carries a fine of up to $5,000 or 2 1/2 years in prison, or both.
“It is a very exciting new protection for victims.” said Elizabeth Speakman, LICSW, Director of MGH’s HAVEN program, in correspondence with the MGH Community News. “HAVEN will be working closely with Jane Doe Inc. to learn more about how we can assist our patients in accessing this protection.”
-From “New law gives more protection to victims of stalking, abuse” by John M. Guilfoil, The Boston Globe, February 10, 2010 at http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/10/new_law_gives_more_protection_to_victims_of_stalking_abuse/#loophttp://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/10/new_law_gives_more_protection_to_victims_of_stalking_abuse retrieved 2/10/10. Thanks to Liz Speakman for commenting.
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