Thiele Leading the Way in Protecting, Helping Domestic Violence Victims
Helps Pass Legislation to Crack Down on Offenders, Assist Families Torn Apart By Domestic Violence
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor), in an effort to limit the devastation of domestic violence, helped the Assembly pass a number of measures to provide better assistance, protection and justice to victims. The Assembly also passed a resolution declaring April 29, 2014, as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the state of New York (K.1096).
“Domestic violence takes a both physical and emotional toll on victims,” Assemblyman Thiele said. “The Assembly is leading the way in helping victims and cracking down on offenders.”
Each year, roughly 450,000 incidents of domestic violence are reported in New York State.1 In 2012, state courts issued a total of 304,239 orders of protection, of which 218,570 were required to be recorded in the Unified Court System’s Domestic Violence Registry.2 And, unfortunately, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and in the United States, three women are murdered by their intimate partner every day.3
“We live in an increasingly digital world,” Assemblyman Thiele added. “It’s vital that our laws are kept current to reflect advancements in technology to adequately protect victims.”
Specifically, the Assembly’s legislative package:
- prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm if he or she has been convicted of certain family offenses (A.6390);
- permits victims to recover non-economic damages from any or all defendants found liable for failure to obey or enforce domestic violence orders of protection or temporary orders of protection (A.899);
- requires hospitals to establish procedures regarding domestic violence and ongoing training programs for staff, and to designate a hospital staff member to coordinate services to victims (A.2562-A);
- includes the unauthorized tracking of an individual, with a GPS or other device, within the meaning of “following” in the crime of stalking in the fourth degree (A.7720-B);
- requires wireless telephone companies to allow victims of domestic violence to opt out of shared or family plans without incurring any penalties (A.7964-B); and
- requires police to promptly translate domestic violence incident reports that are filled out in a language other than English, as well as provide the notification of victims’ rights in such victim’s native language (A.9251).
This legislative package expands on legislation the Assembly passed earlier this year to aid domestic violence victims in New York, including bills to:
- prohibit employment discrimination against domestic violence victims (A.898); and
- require the interpretation of orders of protection in court proceedings where an interpreter has already been appointed (A.1084-A).
“The personal and private nature of domestic violence makes it especially dangerous and devastating to its victims. That’s why we must do everything in our power to support and empower those victims and their families,” Thiele said. “The Assembly’s legislation strengthens domestic violence laws and helps victims and their families get the support they need.”
Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can seek help or assistance 24 hours a day by calling New York’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-942-6906. For further information, visit the New York State Office of Victim Services’ website at ovs.ny.gov/ or the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website at opdv.ny.gov/.
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1. opdv.state.ny.us/help/fss/theproblem.html#facts