Peter Schorsch: Domestic violence legislation also deserves high priority

The 2014 legislative session got off to a start with firm statements and legislative action by lawmakers on their intent to make Florida the least hospitable state in the nation for sex offenders.

That’s admirable.

A number of bills related to domestic violence are worth top attention, too.

First, legislation filed by state Sen. David Simmons, SB 1196, would make the whereabouts of domestic violence victims confidential and exempt from public records. These protections are already in place for victims of sexual offenses and child abuse. For victims of domestic violence, these protections are equally important.

“The Legislature recognizes the necessity to provide greater protection to victims of domestic violence who attempt to escape from domestic violence by relocating and to prevent harm from assailants or probable assailants who attempt to find the victims,” reads Simmons’ bill.

He is right. Domestic violence occurs more often, and is more difficult to escape, than nearly any other type of abuse. Victims not only face full disruption of their lives but also face the scorn, disbelief and insensitivity of others.

Case in point: this week’s accusation by state Rep. Alan Grayson’s estranged wife that he had abused her. No such statement can be assumed as true — that’s what our justice system is for. But even the most certain of victims know that when they emerge with such accusations their mental stability will be questioned; their character; their everything. Grayson’s guilt or innocence is not the question. What is in question is how we handle such cases.

In addition to Simmons’ bill, a House bill, HB 659, filed by state Rep. Debbie Mayfield, attempts to protect victims of domestic violence in key ways. The measure states that if a person is the subject of a temporary or final injunction, and directs a third party to stalk or disturb the victim, they have violated the injunction the same as if they had personally committed the offense. The bill further makes clear that the subject of a final injunction cannot possess or control a firearm; and permits law enforcement to arrest a person without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed an act of repeat violence, sexual violence, stalking or cyber stalking, or child abuse.

Kudos to Sen. Simmons and Rep. Mayfield for raising these issues.

Domestic Violence month falls in October. This year, October will be at the height of election-year frenzy. So instead, I propose Florida use March as the time to address issues of domestic violence with the same candor that we will use to address other forms of sexual abuse. As inexcusable, no matter how public or powerful the players are.