October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 25, 2021I have shared pieces of legislation that have hit close to home this year. However, the passage of Public Act 21-78 was by far the most impactful. PA 21-78 strengthened protections for domestic violence victims and survivors.
This issue was especially pertinent to me because I lost a colleague and friend to domestic violence this year. The House debated and passed this bill less than a week after I lost my friend. It hurt to speak on the floor - honestly, it was gut wrenching, real and raw. But this work matters, and I thought it was important for her story to be told.
After I spoke on the House floor, I reached out to constituents, friends, women in our community I know who are survivors of domestic violence are because these laws matter to real people.
The unfortunate truth is that domestic violence exists in every community. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are affected by domestic violence every day. Public Act No. 21-78 offers more support and protection to victims of domestic violence. We strengthened protections for domestic violence victims and survivors, by expanding the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. Coercive control is a pattern or behavior that can use threatening, intimidation, or exploitation to trap individuals in abusive relationships.
This expanded definition recognizes intimate partner violence can be more than physical abuse – it can take shape as emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse. This measure will help make the process of filing for restraining orders, divorce, child custody, and other family court matters easier for victims and survivors. It would also create a new legal aid program to provide legal representation for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Our laws can and will do better to protect women, and that matters. It won't bring my friend back, but it maybe we can save someone else and there is comfort in that. To support and help victims and survivors and fight domestic violence visit CTSafeConnect.org or call or text (888) 774-2900. Help is available 24/7.
Mask Mandate Rescinded for East Windsor
The Town of East Windsor announced that they have lifted their mask mandate, effective immediately. First Selectman Jason Bowsza made this decision after carefully monitoring local trends in COVID cases.
President Biden at UCONN
I was honored to join my colleagues and welcome President Joe Biden to my alma mater and to celebrate the dedication of the UCONN Dodd Center.
We welcomed the president to our beautiful state on the anniversary of the commencement of the Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, where Thomas Dodd was executive counsel.
Today we were joined by the federal delegation, state executive office holders and many students, the future solution makers of all our worlds greatest challenges - to learn about the Dodd family's legacy and recommit ourselves to human rights.
UCONN is where so many great futures begin, including this recommitment to educating, supporting and empowering the future of the human rights movement.
Water Planning Council Meeting
The Water Planning Council Meeting met earlier this month! We are making sure every avenue is pursued to ensure that every household in our district has access to safe drinking water.
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