Despite our efforts, the Domestic Violence Registry Bill was passed by the legislature. After persuading the County Executive that this piece of legislation would place victims of Domestic Violence in further danger, he vetoed the bill. As you know the bill would make abusers names open to the public, thus breaching the confidentiality of the victims. After speaking with many of the women we serve, it is their belief that if this Registry had existed when they were engaged in an abusive relationship their abusers would have inflicted more pain and suffering as a form of retaliation for being publicly “humiliated”. One survivor stated that she strongly believed her husband would have returned and killed her if a consequence of his conviction would have resulted in him being included in this Registry. In addition, this Registry can also have the adverse effect of preventing victims from coming forward out of fear of retaliation.
For further information please go to: http://www.theretreatinc.org/news and click on
Testimony at Suffolk County Public Hearing or http://www.theretreatinc.org/blogs/executive-director/quotes-from-survivors-of-domestic-violence-and-current-residential-clients-at-the-retreat.htm to see quotes from our survivors.
We need your help to sustain the County Executive’s veto. Please reach out to the following legislators ASAP and tell them you oppose this legislation for the following reasons:
1) It will place women and children of Domestic Violence in harms way.
2) It will breach the confidentiality of families who have been victims of domestic violence.
3) It will jeopardize millions of dollars of state and federal funds to the region because it places a victims confidentiality at risk.
4) It will create more violence and conflict because of the “humiliation” and “shame” factor.
5) It will cause victims not to come forward.
A list of our legislators and their contact information is here:
http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/contact/contactleg.html
Please call today. We are counting on your support.
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