Expanding the Definition of Domestic Abuse (S 2489)

We opposed legislation which would vastly expand the definition of "domestic abuse" for purposes of obtaining a protective order to include examples of "coercive control." One of our biggest concerns with the legislation is that the proposed expansion of what constitutes domestic abuse has the pivotal distinction of not requiring a threat of imminent or likely physical harm. Restraining orders, which are a common type of protective order, are temporary emergency orders designed to address imminent threats to physical harm only. Restraining Orders, by their very nature, are limitations on people’s civil rights, most notably the First Amendment Rights and Due Process rights.