Senate Passes Bill to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

Media Contacts:                                                                                                                                           

Christine Geed, Communications Specialist

geed@nysenate.gov or (631) 398-8044

Jennifer Romero, Press Secretary

jromero@nysenate.gov or (631) 513-5657

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, March 17, 2016

For Immediate Release

Hauppauge, NY – Senator Thomas Croci (R, C, I – Sayville) announces that the New York State Senate has passed legislation to further protect victims of domestic violence. The bill (S3087), sponsored by Senator Cathy Young (R-C-I, Olean), would provide stronger protections for vulnerable domestic violence victims by allowing them to testify via closed-circuit television in criminal proceedings.

“Providing an opportunity for a domestic violence victim to safely testify against their abuser via closed circuit television, rather than in person, not only provides a less stressful environment for the victim, but creates a safer setting that can allow the victim the motivation to come forward and continue with their testimony against the abuser. More victims coming forward to testify will lead to more convictions and less opportunity for the abuser to further abuse the victim,” stated Senator Croci.

Current law only allows children who are considered vulnerable by a judge to testify via closed-circuit television. This legislation would also give domestic violence victims the option of testifying outside of the physical presence of their abusers to help facilitate cooperation with prosecutions.

This bill builds upon other measures the Senate has passed to protect domestic violence victims, including a new law (S6) also sponsored by Senator Young that was passed last year as part of the Senate's Women's Equality Agenda. The law creates a pilot program to allow domestic violence victims to obtain orders of protection through electronic means rather than having to appear in person. It also requires the Office of Court Administration to review and update its policies and services for all crime victims in the courts in order to ensure that their needs are being met and that all victims are truly protected.

The bill will be sent to the Assembly.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov. Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jromero@nysenate.gov

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