I’m creating this petition because I know what it’s like to fall in love with someone who turns out to be violent — not once, but twice.

Neither of my exes had a known history of violence when I met them. I truly believe I was their first victim. They were kind, attentive, and convincing — until the abuse began. By the time I realized how dangerous things had become, it was already too late.

That’s the thing about domestic violence — it doesn’t always start with a criminal record. But once it happens, it can escalate, and it often repeats. I survived, but I carry the emotional and physical scars of what happened. And what haunts me most is knowing that, just like me, there are people right now falling in love with someone they think is safe, who might not be.

I also know I’m not alone. There are people right here in my own community who are living through this right now — people who are scared, confused, and unsure where to turn. Their pain reminds me that this issue isn’t isolated; it’s happening all around us, every day. And while each story is different, our need for safety and truth is the same.

That’s why I want to bring Clare’s Law to Virginia. This law would give people the right to ask law enforcement if their partner has a history of domestic violence or abuse — and it would allow police to warn someone if they are believed to be in danger. It’s not about exposing people or shaming them — it’s about giving others the chance to know before it’s too late.

Even if a person doesn’t have a past record yet, the awareness that such a law exists could encourage more transparency, more reporting, and more accountability. It could give someone that one extra reason to pause, to check, or to reach out for help.

I survived what happened to me, but I don’t want anyone else to have to learn the way I did — through pain, fear, and isolation. Everyone deserves the right to make safe, informed choices about who they let into their lives.

Please sign and share this petition to help make Clare’s Law a reality in Virginia. Together, we can create a future where people have the tools to recognize danger early, and where fewer survivors have to say, “I didn’t know until it was too late.”