Senator Witkos Votes in Support of Expanded Domestic Violence Proposal

Hartford, CT – State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) has recently voted in support of a proposal to expand the state’s domestic violence laws to include coercive control

The bill has come to be known as “Jennifer’s Law” and includes a focus on coercive control as a form of domestic violence. Among other things, the bill will allow victims subject to coercive control by a family or household member to be eligible for restraining orders and gives the court system the ability to sanction a party that files frivolous and fabricated pleadings or motions.

“While we may tend to think of domestic violence as being physical in nature, the sad truth is that domestic violence takes on many forms and, in some cases, does not ultimately become physical at all.  The harm and pain suffered by the victim in situations of coercive control is no less traumatic however and it was important that our state laws reflected this fact.  I was proud to have voted in support of this bill and I am grateful to my colleagues who brought this bill forward” said Senator Witkos.

The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 35-1 and now awaits further action by the House of Representatives.