Please sign and demand a more inclusive and accurate definition of domestic abuse in Iowa, HF740! My name is Gina Battani and in 2017, my husband was indicted and later arrested on three counts of domestic abuse assault causing serious injury (SECOND OFFENSE) and three counts of third-degree sex abuse. He made bail within an hour of his arrest. 18 grueling months later, I testified in court. A jury of my peers in Dallas County, Iowa rendered a "not guilty on all counts" within hours of deliberating, even after hearing evidence of my abuser's taped confession taken by law enforcement, "yes, she said no, but I didn't think she really meant it." The defense argued, in marriage it's common for a spouse to acquiesce to sexual demands. I can attest to the severe damage caused by coercive control. Coercion is a multifaceted form of domestic abuse, comprised of tactics like degradation, isolation, manipulation, threats, guilt trips, controlling finances, constant monitoring, gaslighting, and intimidation to control another person's behavior. The goal of coercion is to manipulate the victim into compliance by undermining their self-esteem and creating a constant sense of fear.  Coercive control is a form of psychological abuse and is recognized  as domestic abuse by the Office on Violence Against Women, the National Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (NCADV), the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCASA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). States such as California, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico incorporate "Coercive Control" into the definition of abuse, but it is notably absent from Iowa's abuse definition. After enduring such trauma, I, along with countless others, discovered that our suffering was minimized and not aptly represented in Iowa's legal system. 2019 was my call to action; I began collaborating with lawmakers to BE. THE. CHANGE. In 2020, H.F. 740 was filed to amend Iowa's definition of domestic abuse to include coercive control.  By neglecting to include coercive control in its abuse definition, Iowa fails to offer comprehensive protections to domestic abuse victim-survivors. Policy change is not easy, nevertheless, I am hopeful, with your help WE will FINALLY prevail in 2026. The time is now! TIME TO LEVEL UP! By signing this petition, WE can urge lawmakers in Iowa to acknowledge and DEFINE the vast scope of domestic abuse that exists beyond physical harm. This change will not only convey deeper understanding and empathy to survivors like me, but will also extend our legal rights and support systems. In solidarity,  Gina Battani, MPA, RN