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For Immediate
Release
3/26/07
CONTACT:
Paula Fogarty
717-787-6599
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Senate Approves Greenleaf Sexual
Violence Victim Protection Legislation
AUDIO
HARRISBURG –The State Senate unanimously approved
a measure offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to
authorize the courts to issue protection from abuse
orders for sexual assault victims who seek them.
Under Senate
Bill 150, a sexual assault victim - the plaintiff - could petition the court, requesting
protection from the defendant. A protective order
would prohibit the defendant from having any contact
with the plaintiff, would bar stalking and
harassment, and would grant any other appropriate
relief as determined by the court for a period of
time not exceeding 18 months. Further, the bill
would require that the sexual assault victim be
notified about legal rights and victim services.
The legislation, which has the support of the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), is
modeled upon the provisions of the state law
authorizing protection from abuse orders for
domestic violence victims. The idea behind it is to
offer a measure of protection to sexual violence
victims, whether or not they seek criminal
prosecution against an abuser.
If a sexual violence protective order were issued
by a court, copies would be provided to the
plaintiff, defendant, and the police agencies with
appropriate jurisdiction to enforce the order.
Violations of the order could be enforced through
criminal and civil contempt proceedings.
The majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated
by a person known to the victim, and the victim may
have reasons not to seek criminal prosecution.
Greenleaf said that his legislation would give a
level of legal protection so that a victim would not
remain as vulnerable to further sexual assaults.
Currently in Pennsylvania, protective orders for
sexual assault victims are available only if a
criminal case has been initiated against an alleged
perpetrator, yet, according to supporters, only
about 28 percent of victims report their
victimization to law enforcement.
Fifteen states have laws allowing sexual assault
victims to obtain protection orders regardless of
their relationship to the assailant.
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