More than 40 state legislators, community leaders, law enforcement professionals and experts on domestic and sexual violence joined The Center for Family Justice on Jan. 14 for its annual Legislative Breakfast.
This informative gathering gave CFJ and its supporters an opportunity to share their support of several proposed bills expected to be considered by the Connecticut General Assembly this year, which could provide more safety, security and justice to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
CFJ’s President & CEO Debra A. Greenwood and Director of Civil Legal & Court Advocacy Services, Angela Schlingheyde, J.D., were joined by representatives of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) and The Alliance to End Sexual Violence in advocating for a number of legislative reforms we believe will benefit adults and children impacted by domestic and sexual abuse throughout the state.
They include:
- Ending the statute of limitations in civil cases involving sexual assault and abuse. Such a change would enable anyone impacted to take legal action when they are ready to seek justice and is particularly important for anyone impacted by childhood sexual abuse.
- Taking steps to protect victims in family court. Proposals include creating a designated “safe space” in family court for anyone impacted by domestic violence.
- Taking steps to educate key stakeholders, including judges, on the ways abusers use the court system to continue to control and harass their victims, particularly in cases involving divorce and child custody matters.
- Taking steps to develop more coordinated response to managing domestic violence cases across the state.
To learn more about some of these proposals you can visit CCADV’s website: http://www.ctcadv.org/projects-initiatives/public-policy/
