New Measures to Protect Domestic Violence Victims in CT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that batterers account for more than $5.8 billion per year nationally in victim healthcare costs and lost productivity alone.

August 06, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report in March 2003 estimating that batterers account for more than $5.8 billion per year nationally in victim healthcare costs and lost productivity alone. This figure does not factor the costs incurred by law enforcement agencies and other branches of the civil and criminal legal system in responding to, investigating, and addressing domestic violence calls.

The New Haven Register quoted democratic state senators from Guilford saying that there are no economic boundaries to domestic violence and that abuse is pernicious and often concealed. Governor M. Jody Rell said in a statement, "There are far too many heartbreaking tales of needless, brutal and preventable tragedies involving domestic violence." The Register reports that the laws are changing to make it safer and in more practical ways easier for victims to escape abusive relationships and rebuild lives.

Shelters, Prevention and Monitoring

Most of the changes to the law took effect July 1, 2010. The Register reports that these changes include:
- $1.7 million in funding to allow the state's 18 domestic violence shelters to stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will help leverage $1 million in federal funding for the shelters. Executive director of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Erika Tindill, said Connecticut was one of only five states that did not have state funding for round the clock shelters.
- In-service training for local and regional school boards would be required, aimed at educating certified employees in prevention of teen dating violence and domestic violence.
- Creation of a pilot program by the judicial branch for the electronic monitoring of family violence offenders; the chief court administrator will be required to apply for federal grants to fund this program.

Of the changes, the Register reported that Rep. Michael Lawlor said allocation of such funds for the shelters in this difficult economy was a testament to how much legislators supported the cause.

Leases, Leave and the Look-Back Period

Additional changes will take effect October 1, 2010. The prospective changes as reported by the Register, include:
- Allowing victims of domestic violence to terminate rental agreements on submission of a written 30-day notice
- Requiring employers to give paid or unpaid leave to victims to seek medical care for physical or counseling for psychological injury, relocate due to family violence, and to participate in civil or criminal proceedings related to family violence
- Eliminating limits on the look-back period and allowing states to consider convictions in other states, thereby expanding the persistent offender law with regard to crimes involving assault, harassment, threatening, trespass and violation of a protective or restraining order.

The measures were undertaken to loosen some of the restraints that bind victims to abusive relationships. Victims who live with their abuser no longer need to worry about carrying a lease to full term or facing penalties. Whether the victim is married to the named lessee or is named in the lease, the new law will limit liability for future rent to 30 days after notice is given. Victims are still liable for any arrears in rent up to the date of lease termination.

Along with the notice of termination, the victim must submit:
- A statement that the tenant is a victim of family violence
- A statement that the tenant intends to terminate the lease and the date of such termination
- A copy of a police report or court record related to the family violence; in the alternative, the tenant may provide a signed written statement that the tenant or his or her child is a victim of family violence, which statement must be made by an employee or agent of a victim services organization, medical or other licensed professional from whom the tenant or tenant's child has sought assistance.

Those who are suffering from domestic violence should contact an attorney to protect their interests. A lawyer can offer insight and strong advocacy, and work to secure a financial stability for the victim following the divorce or separation.

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