A message today from Senator Alex Kasser…
“I’m pleased to report that my DV legislation- aka Jennifers’ Law – was just voted out of the Judiciary Committee with unanimous support from Democrats as well as six Republicans! Jennifers’ Law was combined with another bill, and the new bill number is SB1091. This is ground-breaking legislation that amends family court law, criminal law and even insurance law to provide victims the protections they deserve. The legislation expands and codifies the definition of Domestic Violence for all family court proceedings and incorporates Coercive Control in that definition. Research tells us that 90% of DV is not physical violence. Survivors tell us that coercive control is more powerful and painful. And non-physical methods are a precursor to and a predictor of physical violence.
This legislation finally gives judges the tools to identify non-physical DV and protect victims. It also gives judges the tools to recognize that when DV occurs in a family, children are victims too. The bill adds the child’s “physical and emotional safety” to the top of the list of factors to be considered in custody. There are many other important facets to this legislation and I encourage you to read it here.
None of this progress would be possible without survivors who bravely tell their stories – even when they risk further harm and retaliation from their abusers. I particularly want to thank Connecticut Protective Moms for their incredible courage and strength in what has been a very long fight to be heard and believed. This legislation honors YOU! “
Senator Alex Kasser
