Amend North Dakota Century Code to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
Amend North Dakota Century Code to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
The Issue
I am a survivor of domestic violence. Like many victims, I was caught in a cycle of abuse and manipulation. In spite of this, I found the courage to leave my household, via protection order. Though, it was to no avail, as I was met with retaliation from my apartment management company.
The North Dakota Century Code chapter 47-16, Leasing Of Real Property, section 17.1. Termination Due To Domestic Abuse, requires victims of domestic violence to pay a security deposit in order to be removed from their lease — even despite their abuser still being a tenant in their dwelling.
Essentially, victims are required to pay the remainder of rent for the month they reside there, plus an additional month’s worth of rent to their landlords, in order to terminate their lease. All while their abusers get to watch from the comfort of their homes, not paying a deposit of their own.
As it stands, this section of the law failed to protect me, and will continue to fail many others like me from abuse, financial distress, homelessness, or perhaps even death.
According to the National Library of Medicine, about 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner, per year. Approximately 45 million children will be exposed to violence during childhood. Of these victims, domestic violence is responsible for over 1,500 deaths in the United States, annually.
Most perpetrators and victims do not seek help. Therefore, it is incredibly important to ensure that, the individuals who do, receive adequate legal protection; not only from their abusers, but from the financial vulnerability that can often follow. I, myself am still currently drowning in over $11,000 worth of debt as a result of these poorly written laws.
With this plea, I ask that our lawmakers amend the North Dakota Century Code chapter 47-16, section 17.1., subsection 8., subdivision b., by omitting the security deposit required by landlords before allowing victims to be removed from their lease. This will better protect said victims and ensure that they do not bear the burden of being trapped, evicted, or overwhelmed by debt.
Stand with us. Sign this petition to express your support and help victims of domestic violence find financial security and peace in the remainder and/or aftermath of their trauma.
Sources:
36
The Issue
I am a survivor of domestic violence. Like many victims, I was caught in a cycle of abuse and manipulation. In spite of this, I found the courage to leave my household, via protection order. Though, it was to no avail, as I was met with retaliation from my apartment management company.
The North Dakota Century Code chapter 47-16, Leasing Of Real Property, section 17.1. Termination Due To Domestic Abuse, requires victims of domestic violence to pay a security deposit in order to be removed from their lease — even despite their abuser still being a tenant in their dwelling.
Essentially, victims are required to pay the remainder of rent for the month they reside there, plus an additional month’s worth of rent to their landlords, in order to terminate their lease. All while their abusers get to watch from the comfort of their homes, not paying a deposit of their own.
As it stands, this section of the law failed to protect me, and will continue to fail many others like me from abuse, financial distress, homelessness, or perhaps even death.
According to the National Library of Medicine, about 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner, per year. Approximately 45 million children will be exposed to violence during childhood. Of these victims, domestic violence is responsible for over 1,500 deaths in the United States, annually.
Most perpetrators and victims do not seek help. Therefore, it is incredibly important to ensure that, the individuals who do, receive adequate legal protection; not only from their abusers, but from the financial vulnerability that can often follow. I, myself am still currently drowning in over $11,000 worth of debt as a result of these poorly written laws.
With this plea, I ask that our lawmakers amend the North Dakota Century Code chapter 47-16, section 17.1., subsection 8., subdivision b., by omitting the security deposit required by landlords before allowing victims to be removed from their lease. This will better protect said victims and ensure that they do not bear the burden of being trapped, evicted, or overwhelmed by debt.
Stand with us. Sign this petition to express your support and help victims of domestic violence find financial security and peace in the remainder and/or aftermath of their trauma.
Sources:
36
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on April 10, 2025