Implement Immediate Temporary Protection Orders for victims of domestic violence
The Issue
💜 WHY JERI’S LAW MUST HAPPE
My cousin’s death forever changed the way I see domestic violence—and the devastating consequences of what can happen when someone reaches out for help, but protection does not come quickly enough.
She had the courage to seek help. She took the legal step of filing for a protective order against her abusive husband.
But there was a delay between asking for protection and receiving an enforceable order.
That gap mattered.
A victim should never have to be protected only after a judge has had the opportunity to sign a piece of paper.
When someone is fleeing domestic violence, danger does not stop because the courthouse is closed. It does not stop because it is a weekend or holiday. And an abuser does not wait for the court system to reopen.
Neither should protection.
Domestic violence affects millions of people. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate-partner physical violence, contact sexual violence, and/or stalking with impacts such as injury or fear.
These are not just statistics.
They are mothers.
They are fathers.
They are daughters and sons.
They are sisters and brothers.
They are friends, coworkers, neighbors—and members of our communities.
💜 WHAT JERI’S LAW WOULD DO
Jeri’s Law is a proposal to create immediate, temporary protection for qualifying domestic-violence victims when they file for an emergency protective order, while the request awaits judicial review.
The purpose is not to eliminate judicial oversight.
It is to eliminate the dangerous gap in protection while someone is waiting for it.
The courts would still review the request. But the victim would not be left completely vulnerable during that critical window.
THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN ONE CASE.
This is about asking Indiana to recognize a simple reality:
When someone is in immediate danger, time matters.
Minutes matter.
Hours matter.
Days matter.
A system designed to protect victims must be able to respond when victims actually need protection—not only when it is convenient for the system.
💜 HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. SIGN THE PETITION.
Your signature tells Indiana lawmakers that Hoosiers want this issue addressed.
2. SHARE THIS PETITION.
Don't just sign it—send it to your family, friends, coworkers, community groups, churches, domestic-violence advocates, first responders, attorneys, and anyone who believes victims deserve immediate protection.
3. TALK ABOUT JERI’S LAW.
Post about it. Tell people why you signed. Help others understand why the waiting period can be so dangerous.
4. CONTACT YOUR INDIANA LAWMAKERS.
Ask your state representative and senator to support legislation establishing immediate temporary protection for qualifying domestic-violence victims.
5. ASK ORGANIZATIONS TO ENDORSE JERI’S LAW.
Domestic-violence organizations, victim advocates, legal professionals, law-enforcement organizations, community organizations, and other groups can help show lawmakers that this is a statewide priority.
6. KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.
Don't let this issue disappear after one news story or one legislative session. Real change requires people to keep showing up.
💜 WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED MOVING FORWARD.
This petition has helped bring attention to the need for change, and Indiana State Representative Julie McGuire has stepped in to help move this effort toward legislation.
That is an important step—but we need the public behind it.
Lawmakers need to hear from you.
They need to know that Indiana wants a protection system that responds to victims when they are in danger.
ONE SIGNATURE CAN BECOME A MOVEMENT.
I cannot change what happened to my cousin.
But I can fight to make sure her death is not the end of the story.
Let it be the reason we change the system.
Let it be the reason another victim gets protection before it is too late.
Let it be the reason another child doesn't have to hear the words, “Mom is gone.”
💜 Sign Jeri’s Law.
💜 Share Jeri’s Law.
💜 Contact your lawmakers.
💜 Ask organizations to endorse it.
💜 Help us turn this petition into Indiana legislation.
Because asking for help should never put a victim in a waiting period between danger and protection.
Jeri’s Law: Immediate protection when victims need it most.
#JerisLaw #JusticeForJeri #Indiana #DomesticViolenceAwareness #ProtectVictims #ImmediateProtection #ChangeIndianaLaw
2,398
The Issue
💜 WHY JERI’S LAW MUST HAPPE
My cousin’s death forever changed the way I see domestic violence—and the devastating consequences of what can happen when someone reaches out for help, but protection does not come quickly enough.
She had the courage to seek help. She took the legal step of filing for a protective order against her abusive husband.
But there was a delay between asking for protection and receiving an enforceable order.
That gap mattered.
A victim should never have to be protected only after a judge has had the opportunity to sign a piece of paper.
When someone is fleeing domestic violence, danger does not stop because the courthouse is closed. It does not stop because it is a weekend or holiday. And an abuser does not wait for the court system to reopen.
Neither should protection.
Domestic violence affects millions of people. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate-partner physical violence, contact sexual violence, and/or stalking with impacts such as injury or fear.
These are not just statistics.
They are mothers.
They are fathers.
They are daughters and sons.
They are sisters and brothers.
They are friends, coworkers, neighbors—and members of our communities.
💜 WHAT JERI’S LAW WOULD DO
Jeri’s Law is a proposal to create immediate, temporary protection for qualifying domestic-violence victims when they file for an emergency protective order, while the request awaits judicial review.
The purpose is not to eliminate judicial oversight.
It is to eliminate the dangerous gap in protection while someone is waiting for it.
The courts would still review the request. But the victim would not be left completely vulnerable during that critical window.
THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN ONE CASE.
This is about asking Indiana to recognize a simple reality:
When someone is in immediate danger, time matters.
Minutes matter.
Hours matter.
Days matter.
A system designed to protect victims must be able to respond when victims actually need protection—not only when it is convenient for the system.
💜 HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. SIGN THE PETITION.
Your signature tells Indiana lawmakers that Hoosiers want this issue addressed.
2. SHARE THIS PETITION.
Don't just sign it—send it to your family, friends, coworkers, community groups, churches, domestic-violence advocates, first responders, attorneys, and anyone who believes victims deserve immediate protection.
3. TALK ABOUT JERI’S LAW.
Post about it. Tell people why you signed. Help others understand why the waiting period can be so dangerous.
4. CONTACT YOUR INDIANA LAWMAKERS.
Ask your state representative and senator to support legislation establishing immediate temporary protection for qualifying domestic-violence victims.
5. ASK ORGANIZATIONS TO ENDORSE JERI’S LAW.
Domestic-violence organizations, victim advocates, legal professionals, law-enforcement organizations, community organizations, and other groups can help show lawmakers that this is a statewide priority.
6. KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.
Don't let this issue disappear after one news story or one legislative session. Real change requires people to keep showing up.
💜 WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED MOVING FORWARD.
This petition has helped bring attention to the need for change, and Indiana State Representative Julie McGuire has stepped in to help move this effort toward legislation.
That is an important step—but we need the public behind it.
Lawmakers need to hear from you.
They need to know that Indiana wants a protection system that responds to victims when they are in danger.
ONE SIGNATURE CAN BECOME A MOVEMENT.
I cannot change what happened to my cousin.
But I can fight to make sure her death is not the end of the story.
Let it be the reason we change the system.
Let it be the reason another victim gets protection before it is too late.
Let it be the reason another child doesn't have to hear the words, “Mom is gone.”
💜 Sign Jeri’s Law.
💜 Share Jeri’s Law.
💜 Contact your lawmakers.
💜 Ask organizations to endorse it.
💜 Help us turn this petition into Indiana legislation.
Because asking for help should never put a victim in a waiting period between danger and protection.
Jeri’s Law: Immediate protection when victims need it most.
#JerisLaw #JusticeForJeri #Indiana #DomesticViolenceAwareness #ProtectVictims #ImmediateProtection #ChangeIndianaLaw
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Petition created on December 30, 2025