Make domestic violence a felony in Maryland
The Issue
I am a victim of domestic violence. For a year, I was subjected to torture and abuse, trapped in a cycle of coercive control and manipulation at the hands of my abuser. When the time finally came for justice, I found myself unable to share the full depth of my ordeal with the judge. My abuser managed to plead guilty to just one count, and the severity of his ongoing actions was tragically minimized. This is a reality faced by many victims across Maryland.
In Maryland, domestic violence is not always treated with the seriousness it demands. Currently, second degree assault — often how domestic violence is charged — is not automatically considered a felony. As a result, offenders can escape the full weight of justice, allowing them to potentially harm others again. Often, by the time the legal system gets involved, it is not the defendant's first offense; it is their last known offense after a long history of harm.
It's imperative that we call upon the Maryland legislature to reclassify domestic violence resulting in second degree assault as a felony charge. The safety of victims hinges on this change. Furthermore, victims should always be granted the opportunity to present their full story during sentencing — to truly convey the impact and pattern of abuse they have endured.
Statistics show that domestic violence incidents often escalate over time. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to more than 10 million individuals annually. It's unacceptable that victims like me, and so many others, are denied justice, and our narratives are suppressed in court.
By making this change, Maryland can take a stand against domestic violence, sending a powerful message to abusers that such behavior will not be tolerated and will carry severe consequences from the onset.
Please sign this petition to urge our lawmakers to make domestic violence resulting in second degree assault a felony and to permit victims to fully narrate their experiences during court proceedings. Let's protect victims and ensure that justice is both comprehensive and served at the first offense.
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The Issue
I am a victim of domestic violence. For a year, I was subjected to torture and abuse, trapped in a cycle of coercive control and manipulation at the hands of my abuser. When the time finally came for justice, I found myself unable to share the full depth of my ordeal with the judge. My abuser managed to plead guilty to just one count, and the severity of his ongoing actions was tragically minimized. This is a reality faced by many victims across Maryland.
In Maryland, domestic violence is not always treated with the seriousness it demands. Currently, second degree assault — often how domestic violence is charged — is not automatically considered a felony. As a result, offenders can escape the full weight of justice, allowing them to potentially harm others again. Often, by the time the legal system gets involved, it is not the defendant's first offense; it is their last known offense after a long history of harm.
It's imperative that we call upon the Maryland legislature to reclassify domestic violence resulting in second degree assault as a felony charge. The safety of victims hinges on this change. Furthermore, victims should always be granted the opportunity to present their full story during sentencing — to truly convey the impact and pattern of abuse they have endured.
Statistics show that domestic violence incidents often escalate over time. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to more than 10 million individuals annually. It's unacceptable that victims like me, and so many others, are denied justice, and our narratives are suppressed in court.
By making this change, Maryland can take a stand against domestic violence, sending a powerful message to abusers that such behavior will not be tolerated and will carry severe consequences from the onset.
Please sign this petition to urge our lawmakers to make domestic violence resulting in second degree assault a felony and to permit victims to fully narrate their experiences during court proceedings. Let's protect victims and ensure that justice is both comprehensive and served at the first offense.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on July 14, 2026