Santa Fe, NM – Senator Linda Lopez (D-11-Bernalillo) has introduced Senate Bill 660 (SB 660) to permanently prohibit those convicted of a domestic abuse crime from having contact with their victims as a condition of their probation or parole. Sen. Lopez, a long time advocate for domestic abuse victims, says this bill will enact protections not yet offered to victims and is one more measure to ensure their safety and well-being.
Currently, domestic abuse victims must deal with their violators face-to-face in the courts for hearings; this bill allows them to appear at hearings telephonically or have a representative present.
“I have been a victim of domestic abuse/violence in the past and I know how difficult it was to face my abuser. On-going contact with abusers can cause significant mental and emotional damage for victims and their families,” said Sen. Lopez. “I know victims who have been raped while pregnant. I also know victims who have gotten pregnant as a result of rape, and who have decided to go through with the pregnancy. Some victims of the later scenario are forced into the courts by their rapists to demand shared custody of the children. Being dragged through emotional turmoil of that magnitude is unimaginable. This bill will help victims in such ordeals by protecting them from facing someone who poses a serious threat to them and who has the massive potential to cause a lot of damage.”
According to SB 660, a permanent no contact order may last for any length of time, including for the lifetime of the probationer or the parolee. If passed, the bill will go into effect on July 1, 2015.
“This reassures victims that if they have to appear in court that they can do so with dignity and without triggering anxiety or fear that may be caused by seeing their perpetrators face-to-face. I look forward to seeing the bill’s progress in the legislature,” added Sen. Lopez.
SB 660 is currently waiting to be heard in the Senate Public Affairs Committee; a date has not yet been set.