This petition is not about taking away constitutional rights or targeting any single method of harm.

Victims of domestic violence are killed every day using firearms, knives, blunt force, strangulation, and other forms of violence.

This petition is about protecting victims by holding offenders accountable for documented abuse.

When there is clear evidence—including police reports, medical records, protection orders, and repeated incidents—offenders should not be allowed to minimize their actions through reduced charges.

Domestic violence is not a single incident. It is a pattern of behavior that escalates over time.

This petition calls for laws that recognize that pattern and act before abuse turns into homicide.

Executive Summary

Domestic violence is a public-safety crisis, not a private family matter. According to the CDC, tens of millions of Americans have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime, with millions affected each year.

Protection orders are an important step—but they are not enough on their own.

Survivors continue to be seriously injured or killed even after:

Filing police reports
Seeking medical care
Obtaining protection orders
Cooperating with law enforcement and the courts
A critical gap exists in how domestic violence cases are handled.

Even in cases where there is documented evidence of repeated abuse, offenders are often allowed to plead charges down to lesser offenses such as disturbing the peace.

This practice:

Minimizes the severity of abuse
Ignores patterns of escalation
Allows repeat offenders to avoid meaningful accountability
Increases the risk of serious injury or death
Research shows that domestic violence often escalates—especially during separation or after victims seek help.

The issue is not limited to one weapon or one incident.
The issue is failure to intervene effectively in a pattern of abuse.

This petition calls for reforms that:

Recognize domestic violence as a pattern-based crime
Prevent charge reductions when there is documented evidence of abuse
Strengthen enforcement of existing protections
Prioritize the safety of victims and children

System Failure: Charge Reduction in Domestic Violence Cases

Across jurisdictions, domestic violence charges are frequently reduced—even when there is documented evidence of repeated abuse.

This includes cases with:

Prior police reports
Medical documentation of injuries
Protection orders
Violations of court orders
Witness statements
Escalating behavior patterns
When charges are reduced in these cases, it:

Erases the documented history of abuse
Minimizes the severity of violence
Reduces legal consequences for offenders
Signals that continued escalation will not be meaningfully punished
Domestic violence is not a one-time incident. It is a pattern of coercion, control, and escalation.

The legal system must treat it as such.

 

 

 

 

 

Why survivors often say “the paper did not protect me”

� A protection order may impose legal consequences without immediately removing the abuser's access to the victim, the home, or firearms.

� Temporary orders and service gaps can leave a dangerous window between filing, service, enforcement, and firearm surrender.

� The highest-risk period may be when the victim leaves, files in court, or enforces boundaries the abuser sees as loss of control.

� If violations are not treated urgently, survivors may conclude that asking for help increased the risk without increasing safety.

� When documented abuse results in reduced charges, it signals to offenders that escalation will not be meaningfully punished.

Lethality Is Not Limited to One Method

Victims of domestic violence are killed using many forms of violence, including firearms, knives, blunt force, and strangulation.

While certain risk factors can increase lethality, the consistent pattern across cases is not the method—it is escalating abuse combined with insufficient intervention.

Focusing on one method alone does not address the root problem.

The core issue is:

Repeated documented abuse
Lack of consistent accountability
Missed opportunities for intervention
Effective policy must focus on stopping escalation early and holding offenders accountable, regardless of how the violence is carried out.

 

 

 

 

 

Survivor and child safety impact statement

Survivors often describe seeking help as both necessary and dangerous.

Many fear that:

Filing police reports
Requesting protection orders
Testifying in court
Attempting to leave
…may escalate the abuser’s behavior before the system can effectively intervene.

Children are frequently part of this danger:

Witnessing abuse
Being used as leverage or threats
Becoming secondary victims
When systems fail to act on documented abuse, survivors are left navigating increased risk with limited protection.

Documented Case Examples

The cases below are included because public reporting or official statements indicate the victim had sought a protection order, restraining order, or similar court protection before the killing. They are not the entire universe of such cases—only a documented sample suitable for advocacy use.

 

 

 

 

 

Case notes

� Karina Gonzalez's case directly influenced Illinois' 2025 enactment of Karina's Law, designed to speed firearm removal in domestic-violence situations.

� In Esmeralda DeLuna's case, DuPage County announced in 2024 that Marco-Antonio Rubio was sentenced to 70 years for her murder.

� Michaela Carter's case has been cited by ProPublica and Nashville Public Radio in broader

reporting on gun surrender and enforcement failures.

Proposed Policy Reforms for Lawmakers

Pattern-Based Charging Standards
Domestic violence cases must be evaluated as patterns of behavior, not isolated incidents. Prior documented abuse must be considered in charging decisions.
Limitations on Charge Reductions
Charges should not be reduced when there is documented evidence of:
Prior police reports
Protection orders
Medical records of injury
Repeated or escalating behavior
Any reduction should require written justification on record.

Repeat Offender Visibility
Courts and prosecutors must have access to complete histories of domestic violence incidents to make informed decisions.
Mandatory Risk Assessment Protocols
High-risk cases should be flagged using evidence-based indicators such as:
Prior violence
Threats
Stalking
Escalation during separation
Stronger Enforcement of Protection Orders
Violations must be treated as urgent safety threats with immediate enforcement.

Closing Statement

Victims are doing what the system asks of them:

Reporting abuse
Seeking medical care
Filing protection orders
Showing up in court
The system must do its part in return.

When documented abuse is minimized, reduced, or overlooked, the risk does not disappear—it escalates.

This is not about one incident.
This is not about one method.

This is about patterns of abuse that are not being stopped in time.

Lives depend on closing that gap

As a survivor of domestic violence, I am passionate about helping other victims reclaim their lives. My personal journey through the dark corridors of violence has fueled my resolve to ensure that others may never have to experience the same fear, pain, and trauma. In Florida, domestic violence remains a pervasive issue that affects thousands of individuals each year. To effectively address this crisis, we urgently need the implementation of Savannah's Law, which would establish a comprehensive domestic violence registry in our state.

Domestic violence is not just a personal issue; it is a societal problem that leaves lasting scars on families and communities. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, there were over 106,000 reported domestic violence incidents in 2021 alone, a number that likely underrepresents the true scope of the problem due to underreporting. For victims, often afraid to come forward, having access to information about potential abusers could be life-saving. A domestic violence registry would serve as a critical tool, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their safety.

Other states have already set a precedent for such registries, like New York's Domestic Violence Petitioner Registry and California's opportunity for judges to order protective restrictions. These models have provided residents with a sense of security and a means to protect themselves from potential harm.

By enacting Savannah's Law in Florida, we can create a transparent system where individuals can access accurate information on convicted domestic violence offenders. This registry could prevent countless incidents by empowering potential victims with the knowledge they need to safeguard themselves and their families. It would deter repeat offenders and reaffirm Florida's commitment to standing against domestic violence.

We call upon state legislators to prioritize the safety of Floridians by passing Savannah's Law. Implementing this law will be a monumental step forward in our collective fight against domestic violence. Join us in demanding that our lawmakers take action to protect victims and prevent future tragedies.

Sign this petition to stand with survivors and advocate for a domestic violence registry in Florida. Together, we can initiate change and create a safer environment for all.

 

 

 

 

 

I am a survivor of domestic abuse, and I know all too well the fear, trauma, and long-term impact it can inflict on one's life. This personal ordeal has ignited a burning passion within me to ensure others are spared from similar experiences. One way to achieve this is by establishing a domestic violence registry in Florida.

Each year, countless individuals in Florida suffer silently from the atrocities of domestic violence. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), there were over 105,000 reports of domestic violence in just one year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent individuals—mothers, fathers, children, friends—whose lives have been scarred by abuse.

A domestic violence registry would work similarly to the current sex offender registry in Florida. By making this information publicly accessible, communities can be more informed and proactive in safeguarding their loved ones. Perpetrators would be held accountable, knowing their actions are under public scrutiny, which could act as a significant deterrent.

This registry doesn't aim to vilify individuals unfairly, but to protect potential victims and offer a sense of security that is often stripped away in abusive situations. It will provide background checks that could help employers, landlords, and even potential personal relationships identify known abusers, thus potentially preventing future incidents.

The creation of this registry requires legislative action. Florida lawmakers need to take a stand to protect vulnerable citizens across the state. By signing this petition, we send a message to the state legislature that it's time to prioritize the safety and well-being of all Floridians. Every signature reinforces the urgency of this initiative and urges our representatives to take action.

Let's stand together to make Florida a safer place for everyone. Survivor voices matter, and your support can pave the way for change. Please sign this petition to start a domestic violence registry in Florida.