By signing this petition you are supporting Bill S.1123 that will change the laws in Massachusetts to STOP Domestic Violence. 

Victims need advocates to help them be empowered and protected not only from the abuser but through the process of the Justice System. 

A Message from Senator Patrick O'Connor...

Survivors of Domestic Violence deserve a judicial system that encourages support, transparency, and accountability. About a year ago, I was approached by a Hingham resident and survivor of domestic abuse whose experience with the Commonwealth’s system was and continues to be woefully inadequate. She reached out and shared her deeply personal story because she wanted to ensure that other survivors would not have to endure what she did.
Over the past year, my office has been working with her to craft legislation that would overhaul and improve Massachusetts’ approach to supporting and protecting survivors of domestic abuse, especially with regard to probation and court procedures. This session we officially filed Senate Bill 1123, “An Act to empower and protect survivors of domestic violence”.

The Bill would:
• Establish a special commission comprised of survivors, advocates, and state operatives to analyze current resources for victims, to recommend policy changes to embolden the voices of survivors, increase transparency of probation violations, and study the feasibility of a complaint communication tool.
• Expand the definition of “abuse” to incorporate subtle yet pervasive forms of abuse.
• Create within all court probation departments a new Domestic Abuse Probation Unit comprised of victim advocates and probation officers exclusively assigned to DV/SA cases.
• Improve the accessibility and functionality of protective orders, increase the effectiveness of batterers’ treatment programs, and further prohibit tampering with GPS monitoring devices
Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault should not have to endure further hardships in the process of defending themselves and seeking protection. I look forward to advancing this legislation and pursuing a collaborative process to strengthen our services for survivors.

Thank You for Your Support!