Assembly Murray Outlines Findings Of Statewide Domestic Violence Task Force
Albany, NY - January 24, 2017 - As a result of the Assembly Republican Conference’s series of statewide regional forums on preventing domestic violence, Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) joined colleagues in Albany Tuesday at a press conference to share findings and present legislative solutions to this statewide epidemic. A copy of the full report can be found here.
“Domestic violence is one of the tragedies we wish we could erase from society,” Murray said. “I had the opportunity to attend our conference’s regional forum on Long Island and the testimony, although stark and heartbreaking, allowed me valuable insight into how we can help solve this crisis.
“One area that is dear to my heart is how this issue affects our pets. Many times, individuals choose to stay in abusive homes in fear of leaving their pets and many shelters do not allow non-service animals to stay there. Our plan would provide assistance to shelters, not-for-profits, family and friends that would temporarily care for a victim’s pets.
“I would urge Assembly leadership and members on both sides of the aisle to join us in pushing these legislative solutions this year to help us put an end to this tragedy.”
Some highlights of recommendations from the report, A Safe Haven: Helping Abuse Victims and Enhancing Protections:
- Declaring domestic violence a statewide public health crisis.
- Providing financial assistance to victims who are living in shelters or elsewhere to escape their abusers.
- Provide temporary assistance to shelters, not-for-profits, family or friends willing to provide temporary shelter to a pet of a victim of domestic violence.
- Creation of a new “Domestic Violence in the Presence of a Child” crime with more harsh penalties for abusers.
- Providing law enforcement the tools they need to arrest more abusers.
- The ability of courts to extend orders of protection an additional two years.
- Allowing domestic violence victims to obtain an emergency panic button through local social services or law enforcement.
- Introducing two separate bills to require mandatory reporting of suspected domestic violence and suspected elder abuse.
Assemblyman Dean Murray represents the 3rd District, which includes portions of Brookhaven, Medford, and Mastic Beach in Suffolk County. For more information, visit Assemblyman Murray’s Official Website.