Victims of domestic violence are often put into difficult situations, causing them to feel trapped. It may seem impossible to find any solution using the law. Recently, the New Jersey State Assembly has recognized this, and in response has just passed two bills that may make it easier for victims of domestic violence to seek the help they need.
In one of those bills, victims of domestic violence may be able to testify against their attackers via a closed circuit camera instead of testifying in person in a courtroom where their attacker would be sitting just feet away from them. The idea is that this option will hopefully prevent victims from suffering the severe emotional distress that occurs from testifying in front of the person who has attacked them. It will be up to the judge, on a case-by-case basis, whether testifying via closed circuit will be necessary.
In the second bill, the New Jersey State Assembly approved a measure that would allow victims of gender-based violence to sue, even if criminal charges were not involved. This bill is aimed at streamlining the legal process in order to allow victims of domestic violence a faster and safer resolution.
These two new bills may help protect and defend many domestic violence victims who feel too helpless and scared to take any steps to end the abuse. Those who sue their attackers may finally seek recovery, and gain control over their lives in a big step towards emotionally recovering from physical abuse.
Source: NorthJersey.com, “N.J. Assembly passes bills aimed at domestic violence victims,” Michael Linhorst, Jan. 28, 2013
