"
It’s a sobering statistic. In Connecticut, domestic abuse has already claimed 19 lives this year. To mark Domestic Violence Awareness Week, victims and advocates are urging state lawmakers to do more to prevent violence.
“LOVE DOES NOT BEAT YOU DOWN” Adanna Springer knows the pain of abuse personally. “Love does not hurt. Love does not harm you,” she said. “Love does not beat you down verbally, emotionally, financially.” On Tuesday, Springer joined domestic violence groups to raise a purple flag inside the state Capitol. State Sen. Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) said the number of victims is staggering. “One in four women in their lifetime,” she said. “This is a public health crisis.”
LAWMAKERS ACT Domestic violence groups warned that demand keeps rising, but money is drying up. “We need more funding,” said Barbara Damon, president of the Prudence Crandall Center. “Funding for shelters, counseling services, court advocacy and prevention programs.” Over the past few years, Connecticut has taken major steps to protect victims. “
Jennifers’ Law ," partly inspired by the Jennifer Dulos murder case, expands the definition of abuse to include “coercive control.” Lawmakers have also expanded Connecticut’s “
Red Flag Law ” and passed a 10-day waiting period to buy a handgun. “We also have said, if you are convicted of domestic violence, then you are not getting a pistol permit,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. Another
new law requires all courts in the state to offer electronic monitoring by 2025. The law also bans alimony for domestic abusers. Connecticut has also passed new protections for online dating apps, after the
murder of a Bethel woman. But lawmakers
abandoned proposals to end “coerced debt” incurred in a victim’s name, as well as a bill to make domestic abusers convicted of murder ineligible for release.
GAPS REMAIN Despite lawmakers’ efforts, gaps remain – especially when it comes to the court system. In Milford, Julie Minogue was killed with an ax in front of her own children. Minogue’s boyfriend, Ewen Dewitt, is charged with her murder. Last week, prosecutors was offered him a
plea deal of 45 years in prison. Before her death, Minogue
warned police about Dewitt, but a
miscommunication between police and prosecutors prevented him from being arrested before the attack. “We need to continue to improve systems, so that when a victim goes to a courthouse, it's not the scariest moment of her life,” Flexer said. A
state advisory panel is looking at ways to prevent victims from falling through the cracks. The group is looking at several areas:
- Speeding up communication between police and prosecutors
- Expanded GPS monitoring for domestic abusers
- Additional specialized domestic violence courts
- More programming to rehabilitate domestic abusers
HOW TO GET HELP Help is available if you are victim. “Your life does not end in violence,” Springer said. “Your life does not have to continue with violence.” Click
HERE to reach CT Safe Connect. You can also call or text 888-774-2900, or email
safeconnect@ctcadv.org for immediate help. "
Local News
