Petition for Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors and Children in Utah

To: The Honorable Members of the Utah State Legislature

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of the state of Utah, hereby petition the Utah State Legislature to enact legislation that strengthens protections for domestic violence survivors and their children.

Proposed Legislation:

Establishment of a Domestic Violence Offender Registry: We urge the Utah State Legislature to enact a law that establishes a comprehensive and accessible domestic violence offender registry. This registry should include information on individuals who have been convicted of domestic violence offenses, including relevant details about their convictions. Access to this information should be made available to the public to ensure transparency and community safety. This should backdate the last 10 years, at the very least.

Retention of Conviction Records on Background Checks: We propose that domestic violence convictions should remain on background checks for a minimum of ten (10) years, if not longer, from the date of conviction. This extended retention period is essential to provide employers, landlords, and individuals with valuable information about the history of potential associates, tenants, or partners. It also could deter individuals from commiting domestic violence because of the longer ramifications.

Child Custody Protections: We advocate for changes in child custody laws that protect the safety and well-being of children in situations involving domestic violence. It should not be easy for an abusive parent to gain unsupervised access to their children, especially when there is a history of convictions for domestic violence. Supervised visitation should be utilized in longer periods of time if it protects the child, but also gives them a safe space to continue their relationship with their parent(s).

Why This Matters:

Survivors of domestic violence and their children deserve to live in an environment free from fear and harm. This proposed legislation is crucial for the safety and well-being of countless Utah residents. It is time to prioritize the protection of survivors, hold offenders accountable, and ensure that children are shielded from potential harm.

Conclusion:

We, the undersigned, call upon the Utah State Legislature to take decisive action in passing legislation immediately that addresses the urgent concerns of domestic violence survivors and their children. By enacting these changes into law, Utah can take a significant step towards protecting its residents and fostering safer communities. Please help show that we are NOT tolerant of violent crimes and domestic violence in the state of Utah.