This petition bears personal weight, born from a devastating and traumatic ordeal. A dear cousin and aunt from our family were taken from us in a horrifying incident on August 19, 2024. This was a day when they were seeking protection from a domestic abuser, a day when a life-saving protection order was within reach. Instead, they were brutally ambushed on their walk to the courthouse.

These tragic deaths are not isolated incidents. The legislations mandating that victims and offenders of domestic violence be present simultaneously in courtrooms repeatedly put at risk the safety of the same people the law is supposed to protect. This dangerous practice leaves an open window for abusers to lash out, as was the case in our family's fatal tragedy.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. That's more than 10 million women and men per year. It is clear that our legal system must do more to protect these vulnerable individuals rather than placing them directly in harm's way.

Our plea is simple: We demand a change in laws so that it's no longer mandatory for both victims and offenders of domestic violence to be present together in court. This necessary reform would reduce the risk of further harm to the victims and better serve justice.

Please stand with us. Let's transform this tragic incident into a call for change. We lost our loved ones due to this policy. Let's ensure no other family endures this kind of pain. Lend your voice and sign this petition.