FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2023

Media Contact:
Laura Parete
860-874-5182
[email protected]

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER KEVIN KELLY PRAISES LAWMAKERS FOR PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION PROVIDING FURTHER PROTECTION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) applauded the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 5, which provides greater protections and enhanced responses to individuals involved in domestic and intimate partner violence. Sen. Kelly co-sponsored this important legislation, which protects domestic violence victims and ends the practice of abusers collecting alimony. The legislation also expands the state’s domestic violence offender electronic monitoring system.

“We need to protect domestic violence victims and put their needs first through stronger legislation,” Sen. Kelly said. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan effort which will help to support those who have been victims of these terrible acts.”

In 2021, Sen. Kelly supported “Jennifer’s Law” which expanded the definition of domestic violence in state law to include “coercive control.” This means that threatening, humiliating, or intimidating acts that harm a person and deprive them of their freedom are now considered domestic violence. Jennifer’s Law also established a new program to provide legal representation for domestic violence victims who file restraining orders.

The bill awaits a vote in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

For those seeking support for domestic violence, here are local organizations that serve the 21st District:

• The Center for Family Justice (Monroe and Stratford) https://centerforfamilyjustice.org/
• The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (Seymour and Shelton) https://bhcare.org/services/domestic-violence-victim-advocacy/umbrella-center-for-domestic-violence-services/

Here are some key statistics on domestic and sexual violence and how to reach out for help:

• More than 43 million women and 38 million men have been the victim of psychological aggression by an intimate partner, the CDC says.
• In the 2021 fiscal year, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence served 38,989 victims and received 41,654 calls for help. 2,950 domestic violence victims received housing support in Connecticut in 2021 through the CCADV.
• Domestic violence shelters operated at 156% capacity in 2021. The average amount of time that a victim remained in a shelter was 51.1 days. Of those who received housing support, 100% of victims reported that their children felt safer and 93% said they felt safer, according to the CCADV
• Help is available 24/7 via call, email, text, or live chat through CT Safe Connect at CTSafeConnect.org or 888-774-2900. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-SAFE.

An overview of domestic violence in the United States:

• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes annually in the United States.
• More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced either physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Victims are commonly abused by those who are closest to them.
• Each day in the United States, over 20,000 calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines by individuals reporting incidents.
• On average, 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. This is an astounding number that shows just how prevalent this is in our society.
• A weapon is used in 19% of domestic violence incidents.
• Women who are victims of intimate partner violence are most likely to be between the ages of 18 to 24.

Connecticut’s free, confidential domestic violence hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-888-774-2900 for services in English and 1-844-831-9200 for services in Spanish.

On the web: www.SenatorKevinKelly.com

*Sen. Kelly represents the 21st District of Stratford, Shelton, Seymour, and Monroe.

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Laura Parete
Director of Digital Communications
Senate Republican Office
Email: [email protected]