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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Richard Grucela |
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Grucela introduces bill protecting victims of domestic abuse
HARRISBURG, Jan. 15 – To protect victims of domestic abuse from additional exploitation, state Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation that would exempt them from paying spousal support to their abusive partner.
Current state law requires married people to support each other financially, based on their ability to pay.
“A person who abuses his or her spouse is often a master manipulator who exhibits patterns of intimidation, obsession, possession and revenge,” Grucela said. “To give these criminals one more tool to control a victim’s life is reprehensible. People who have been terrorized by their spouse should not have to pay spousal support simply because their income may be greater than their abuser’s.”
According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in 2006 alone, 92 domestic violence victims lost their lives in Pennsylvania.
Victims of abuse can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
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CONTACT: Ann Collis |