Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Abuse Protection Laws Before More Lives Are Lost
The Issue
Every year in Pennsylvania, women and men flee abusive relationships believing a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order will keep them safe. But too often, these court orders are violated—again and again—with barely a consequence.
Jane Jones, a mother from Cumberland County, believed a PFA would end her nightmare. Instead, her abuser violated it within 24 hours. Over a decade later, after filing multiple PFAs, he still stalks and threatens her. She lost her job, her support system, and almost her life—all while the system told her to keep waiting, keep proving, keep surviving.
In Pennsylvania, PFA violations carry the same punishment whether someone violates the order once—or ten times. Judges can issue a $300 fine and up to six months of probation or jail. But there’s no escalation for repeat offenders. No felony charges. No real deterrent. Survivors are forced to relive trauma with every court date while abusers face the same slap on the wrist over and over.
The consequences of this failure are deadly.
In Harrisburg, Gregory Greene violated a PFA, was released from jail, and days later killed two people and injured three others. In York County, Susan Hoke changed her locks, updated security codes, and filed multiple PFAs—but her abusive husband still murdered her in her own home. And in Cambria County, Robert Klein violated a PFA, got a warning from a judge, and nine days later shot and killed his wife and son before taking his own life.
Pennsylvania lawmakers must act now. A bipartisan fix already exists: a tiered sentencing model for repeated PFA violations—similar to how the state handles repeat DUIs. Advocates also propose raising the offense level when crimes are committed in violation of a PFA, and eliminating ineffective probation time that prevents meaningful intervention.
Domestic violence is not partisan. It touches every community, every county. Survivors need more than a piece of paper—they need a law that protects them and a system that holds abusers accountable.
We call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass comprehensive legislation that strengthens PFA enforcement, establishes escalating penalties for repeat violations, and centers the safety of survivors, not the convenience of abusers.
Sign if you agree: no one should have to fear for their life because the law won’t listen.
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The Issue
Every year in Pennsylvania, women and men flee abusive relationships believing a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order will keep them safe. But too often, these court orders are violated—again and again—with barely a consequence.
Jane Jones, a mother from Cumberland County, believed a PFA would end her nightmare. Instead, her abuser violated it within 24 hours. Over a decade later, after filing multiple PFAs, he still stalks and threatens her. She lost her job, her support system, and almost her life—all while the system told her to keep waiting, keep proving, keep surviving.
In Pennsylvania, PFA violations carry the same punishment whether someone violates the order once—or ten times. Judges can issue a $300 fine and up to six months of probation or jail. But there’s no escalation for repeat offenders. No felony charges. No real deterrent. Survivors are forced to relive trauma with every court date while abusers face the same slap on the wrist over and over.
The consequences of this failure are deadly.
In Harrisburg, Gregory Greene violated a PFA, was released from jail, and days later killed two people and injured three others. In York County, Susan Hoke changed her locks, updated security codes, and filed multiple PFAs—but her abusive husband still murdered her in her own home. And in Cambria County, Robert Klein violated a PFA, got a warning from a judge, and nine days later shot and killed his wife and son before taking his own life.
Pennsylvania lawmakers must act now. A bipartisan fix already exists: a tiered sentencing model for repeated PFA violations—similar to how the state handles repeat DUIs. Advocates also propose raising the offense level when crimes are committed in violation of a PFA, and eliminating ineffective probation time that prevents meaningful intervention.
Domestic violence is not partisan. It touches every community, every county. Survivors need more than a piece of paper—they need a law that protects them and a system that holds abusers accountable.
We call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass comprehensive legislation that strengthens PFA enforcement, establishes escalating penalties for repeat violations, and centers the safety of survivors, not the convenience of abusers.
Sign if you agree: no one should have to fear for their life because the law won’t listen.
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Petition created on September 3, 2025