January is stalking awareness month - 01/18/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 18, 2007
CONTACT: Patrick Golden 617-722-2130
Legislators Propose Harassment Prevention Initiatives
Boston – Seven years ago, Sandra Berfield, an Everett waitress, was murdered by a stalker and it was in her memory “Sandy’s Law” was enacted. “Sandy’s Law,” which passed in 2000, brought needed legal protections to victims of stalking.
However, while some legal protections exist for victims, there is still a dangerous gap. Cheryl Darisse is the sister of Sandra Berfield and the Founder and President of Feel Safe Again Inc, a support organization for victims of domestic abuse and stalking. In Sandy’s case Cheryl notes, “She asked for protection but she didn’t qualify for the Ch. 209A domestic protective order because she had no prior relationship with her stalker, so in the end she paid the ultimate price.”
To obtain a criminally enforceable protective order, a victim needs to prove that they have a substantive relationship with the abuser. This means that a teacher being stalked by a student or a neighbor being stalked by another neighbor is not protected by the law. Senator Pam Resor is the chief sponsor of the Harassment Prevention Bill that would amend this discrepancy in the law.
“Restraining orders are sometimes the only legal protection a person can obtain when faced with the dangers of stalking or domestic violence,” said Senator Pam Resor. “For this reason, it is very important to make it easier for women to obtain protective orders.”
Jane Doe Inc is a strong supporter of the Harassment Prevention bill. “Our current laws abandon victims of sexual assault and stalking who need and deserve the power and protection of our legal system to help keep them safe from those that seek to harm them through harassment,” said Mary R. Lauby, the Executive Director at Jane Doe Inc. “This legislation effectively addresses the very real danger that victims of sexual assault and stalking fear and face.”
Representative Peter Koutoujian is the lead House sponsor of the Harassment Prevention Bill.
“Stalking is a crime in Massachusetts and every other state, but nearly 1.5 million women and men remain stalking victims in the United States each year,” said Koutoujian. “Even more sadly, this behavior often results in violence and death. I saw many of these cases during my time as a Middlesex County prosecutor. More than three quarters of women killed by their intimate partners were stalked before their murders. Only through tougher laws and increased awareness will we be able to better protect people from becoming victims.”
Senator Creem recently filed legislation that allows domestic violence and stalking victims to take time off from work without penalty to get medical attention and to assist law enforcement with their case. Another of Senator Creem’s bills protects a domestic violence or stalking victim’s ability to secure housing. “A secure job and safe home is essential to break the cycle of violence. These bills will protect those who need it most,” added Senator Creem.
“Stalking and domestic violence continue to plague our community,” said Senator Cynthia Creem (D. Newton). “We have to update our laws to not only prevent the violence, but to help protect and assist the victim after the crime happens.”
Senator Resor remarked that she has personally witnessed the negative effects this crime can have on a victim and their family. “To defeat stalkers, both victims and communities must take stalking seriously. Victims need to know that help is available- they need to know that we are ready to offer them the protection they deserve by strengthening our state’s harassment prevention and protection laws.”
Victims in imminent danger should contact their local law enforcement agency. In addition they should seek support from a crisis hotline, a victim’s service agency, a domestic violence or rape crisis program such as Jane Doe, Inc., Feel Safe Again, Inc. or the Victims Rights Law Center. Each of these agencies and their advocates can help victims devise a safety plan, learn about local laws, find services, and take additional steps, such as seeking a protective order.
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