In the US, an estimated 10 million people experience domestic violence every year. Roughly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. 

We believe that domestic violence and missing person crimes can often be intertwined and multipronged problems. After the homicide of Ms. Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Petito, new legislation and reforms should be established to address these pervasive and threatening problems in the United States.   

Why is this is important to me? As a child, I lived in a household with domestic violence. I know what it’s like to run and flee in fear for your life. We lived in a shelter for abused women when I was nine years old. We were lucky to get out. I don’t want other people to have the fear. I don’t want anyone else to lose their life when we can be more proactive about abuse prevention and keeping abused victims safe. To start, I hope to take this framework forward with our elected officials here in New York (also Gabby’s home state). If you support this, please sign with me. 

These are the changes:  

1.  SEARCHABILITY OF CONVICTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSERS: Names of convicted domestic violence offenders should be listed in a public searchable database, available to anyone. There should be both a national-level database and state-level databases. DV abusers should have the same process of announcing their identity as sex offenders.    

2.  MISSING PERSON REFORM: If a ‘person of interest’ associated with crimes related to a homicide is known to be the last person to have seen/been with a reported missing person and refuses to cooperate/speak to police the following should occur while the investigation is ongoing: 
a. Person of interest is placed under 24-hour surveillance 
b. Their attorney must answer any and all questions from the FBI/police. 
c. They must not travel out of state.

3.  POLICE REFORM: Domestic violence calls to the police should include: 
a. Full consideration of the 911 operator calls and their context
b. A certified social worker attends call to site with a specialty in domestic violence accompanied by armed police
c. Complete separation of the parties involved in the domestic violence during the interview portion
d. A female interviewer for females and a male interviewer for males
e. After interviewing is completed, mandatory separation of the parties; options provided for places to stay such as shelters, hotels, safe houses, etc. 
f. A proper, thorough, professional, and calm follow-up with the assaulted party the following day with a plan for next steps established. Provide counsel and additional resources.   
g. Social worker to follow up with DV victim weekly. 
h. If during the interview, specific mental health issues are pointed out, then proper follow-up and mental health specialist can be provided.   

4.  PROTECTIVE ORDER REFORM: Upon the arrest of a DV abuser, a temporary protective order/restraining order should be offered for the victim to file and can be automatically implemented (courthouse process bypassed). This should be complemented with a Safety Plan. The temporary order stays in place for 180 days or until the permanent order is filed through the court process. 

5.  NATIONAL WEBSITE FOR ABUSE SUPPORT AND PREVENTION FROM US GOVERNMENT: Establishment of National Domestic Abuse Support and Prevention website through the US Government. Resources to include: 
a. A National website made available by the US Government for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. The website will give information, resources, and links to anyone needing help. 
See  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help as an example. 
b. A national mobile app made available from the US government app for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. The app can be downloaded for free from the app stores.
c. More US governmental alliances with National Domestic Violence Hotline, and No More to establish cross-organizational programs (e.g. Safe Spaces – spaces offered by the victim going to a local pharmacy and saying a safe word)

6.  DATING WEBSITE REFORM: Dating websites should be required to criminal background check people for any domestic violence and sexual assault offenses. DV and sexual assault offenders should not be permitted to have any presence on dating sites (e.g., Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match.com, etc.).

Thanks for your support. :) ~Chris