October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Recent headlines remind us what a terrible scourge on our society domestic violence continues to be.

Domestic violence is a crime that rips apart the very fabric of families. It can afflict every segment of society and knows no economic, ethnic, or geographic boundaries.

Every October since 1987 our nation has observed Domestic Violence Awareness Month to shine a light on the need to confront violence and abuse in our families.

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we can be encouraged by the progress we have made in reducing these shameful crimes, but we must also recognize that more work needs to be done.

This year in the State Senate we passed legislation to protect domestic violence victims from housing discrimination (S.5876), allow victims to electronically file orders of protection (S.5878), and a bill to strengthen orders of protection for victims of domestic abuse (S.5605).

Unfortunately, the State Assembly has failed to pass the first two of these three important bills.

I will continue to fight tirelessly to pass legislation that better protects and supports victims of these terrible crimes and justly punishes perpetrators. We need meaningful change that will help break the cycle of domestic violence.

As we honor the advocates and service providers who support victims, I encourage survivors, their loved ones, and anyone in need of assistance to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit www.TheHotline.org.

As always, feel free to contact me if there is anything I can do for you.

Warmest regards,

Senator Cathy Young
57th District