Missouri’s advances in victims’ rights highlighted during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – Gov. Jay Nixon today marked October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by noting the many advances Missouri made in protecting the rights of domestic violence victims during 2009:

* Amendments to Missouri’s Adult Abuse Act mean individuals as young as 17 may now file for orders of protection, instead of requiring an adult to file in their behalf. The change in the definition of an adult also means that adult protection orders can now also be sought against an alleged perpetrator who is 17 years of age.

* The adoption of the Child Witness Protection Act gives judges the ability to tailor court procedures to help prevent children from becoming confused, intimidated or harassed when participating in court proceedings. The act permits limiting the duration of questioning of a child witness and allowing them to hold a toy or similar comfort item during testimony.

* By adopting the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), Missouri has expanded protections for parents subjected to domestic violence, including battered women who flee to Missouri from, or from Missouri to, another state as a result of abuse to them or their children.

* The adoption of Hope’s Law creates a new felony charge for endangering the welfare of a child if an individual possesses methamphetamine in the presence or residence of the child. Previously, the individual had to be making or selling methamphetamine.

* Amendments to Missouri criminal law mean that for the first time domestic violence convictions in states other than Missouri now qualify to be used as prior offenses in Missouri courts. This will allow more offenders to be classified as prior or persistent offenders and therefore eligible for stiffer prison sentences.

* Crime victims may now request and receive a current photograph of an offender prior to the offender’s release from the Missouri Department of Corrections. To request a photo a victim should contact the Department of Corrections’ Office of Victim Services at (573) 526-6516.

Gov. Nixon said, “All too often during my 16 years as Missouri’s Attorney General, I witnessed the terrible impact domestic violence had on both adult and child victims. But by working with victims and their advocates, I also saw their incredible resiliency and determination to strengthen our criminal laws and to protect others from domestic violence. That’s the inspiration for all of us as we make better, tougher laws and as we mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

While Missouri has made great progress in securing rights, protections and services for victims of domestic violence, more work remains to be done. It’s estimated by the U.S Department of Justice that more than 50 percent of domestic violence incidents still are not reported to police. Some victims may not recognize their victimization as a crime. And, according to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, last year more than 9,000 Missouri women and children were unable to find shelter at a domestic violence program due to lack of resources.

“We won’t settle for the progress that we’ve made. We need to continue to raise community awareness of the problem of domestic violence, work to reduce it from occurring and find ways to provide for those with unmet needs,” Gov. Nixon said.

Those seeking more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month should contact their local domestic violence agency or the Missouri Crime Victim Services Unit at 1-866-334-6682. The Missouri Crime Victim Services Unit is a program within the Department of Public Safety created to serve as a liaison between victims, victim service providers and the criminal justice system.

Mike O'Connell
DPS Communications
Office: 573-751-4819
mike.o'connell@dps.mo.gov

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