Story by: Joseph P. Addabbo Jr

To ensure that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault receive stronger protections against further harm, NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. recently voted to approve an eight-bill package of legislation designed to institute new safeguards for crime victims and assist them in seeking justice against their abusers.

“Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other devastating crimes need and deserve our support to move forward in their lives, protect themselves from further abuse, and seek justice against those who have hurt them,” said Addabbo, a member of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. “This package of bills, including legislation I co-sponsor to punish those who coerce victims into producing or disseminating intimate images of themselves, sends a strong message that New York State stands with survivors during every step and every stage of their difficult journeys.”

The eight pieces of legislation to aid survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are as follows:

S.4355 expands the offense of coercion in the second degree to punish those who force others to produce or disseminate intimate images of themselves, and makes these offenders subject to inclusion on New York’s Sex Offender Registry. In addition to paying potential fines, these criminals would serve up to one year in prison, or be sentenced to up to three years of probation.

S.4657, generally known as the “Right to Call 911 Bill,” establishes the right of tenants to call police or emergency assistance at any time, and multiple times, without fear of losing their housing. Right now, when numerous calls are made from the same residence for emergency services to respond to domestic violence or other criminal complaints, landlords may choose to evict victims under local “nuisance ordinances” – further endangering those who are already in peril.

S.2416 extends the statute of limitations from one to two years to give victims more time to bring civil lawsuits against their abusers for injuries they sustained as a result of domestic violence.

S.2224 provides that professional advocates for domestic violence survivors are not required to disclose their private communications with their clients unless the victim authorizes the action, or it is otherwise required by existing law – as in cases where the communications include the victim’s intent to commit a crime or other harmful act. This important confidentiality privilege already exists for rape crisis counselors.

S.2356 allows domestic violence victims to cancel telephone and certain other telecommunications service contracts without penalty when there is a permanent order of protection in place. This will help survivors escape from violent circumstances without suffering an ongoing financial burden or continued contact with their abusers.

S.257 enables victims of sexual violence to file petitions in State Supreme Court to have their voter registration records, which contain addresses and other personal information, sealed from public access.

S.615 protects victims of domestic violence from possible contact with their abusers at election time by providing them with special absentee ballots, upon request, to cast by mail or in person at their county board of elections office.

S.1868 seeks to improve the effectiveness of domestic violence orders of protection by enabling victims to seek and fully recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, from those found liable of failing to obey or enforce these vital legal safeguards for survivors.

“I am hopeful that all of these proposals will ultimately be approved by both the Senate and the Assembly, and then signed into law by the Governor,” said Addabbo. “Our domestic violence and sexual assault survivors need and deserve our help.”

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