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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Diana Wogan |
State Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Shapiro bill to prevent domestic violence
ABINGTON, April 26 -- Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, and Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland, are sponsoring legislation aimed at helping prevent domestic violence in Pennsylvania.
In 2005, at least 130 victims were murdered in acts of domestic violence in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. These figures are approximate, as the state currently does not have mandated reporting for domestic violence incidents.
The legislation would establish a statewide advisory board and optional local teams to examine domestic violence-related fatalities. The legislation would enable local teams to have access to records and information necessary to examine the circumstances surrounding these deaths, while ensuring the confidentiality of all records.
It is critical that we learn from these tragic deaths so we can prevent them in the future, and work towards ending domestic violence, Shapiro said.
The records that would be reviewed include: criminal records, court documents, media reports, guardianship reports, victim impact statements, law enforcement records, investigative reports and other data arising out of or related to known or suspected domestic violence fatalities.
The legislators said that by enabling officials to gain insight into what led up to a domestic violence related fatality, they can learn what improvements and changes could be made to the system to prevent future deaths.
Shapiro said, I believe we all have a responsibility to support this common-sense legislation that will help bring about improvements in our systems and prevent the alarming number of domestic violence related incidents in our state.
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