Here's how you can help:
INSTRUCTIONS: Please forward the letter below to your local state officials. It is imperative to communicate the importance of Monica's Law and its passing through the State of New Jersey.
STEPS:
INSTRUCTIONS: Please forward the letter below to your local state officials. It is imperative to communicate the importance of Monica's Law and its passing through the State of New Jersey.
STEPS:
- COPY the contents of the letter below.
- Select your MUNICIPALITY (use [this link],) you will be directed to the NJ Legislative website. A new window will open. [SELECT] your municipality from the drop down list provided. Select [FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES]. A list of elected officials will be presented for the selected municipality. Place a check mark next to all listed and click [SELECT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES]. You will be forwarded to an electronic form.
- FORM INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the form and paste the letter in the MESSAGE portion of the form and SUBMIT.
LETTER TO COPY AND SUBMIT:
"If the numbers we see in domestic violence were applied to terrorism or gang violence, the entire country would be up in arms, and it would be the lead story on the news every night."
--Rep. Mark Green, Wisconsin
I am writing in order to urge you to co-sponsor A3137/S2235, known as Monica’s Law. Monica’s Law establishes a visitation risk assessment pilot program for domestic violence cases. The purpose of the law is to use a risk assessment as a tool to determine whether a person against whom a domestic violence final restraining order is issued will commit an act of violence against the victim or the child the victim and the perpetrator have in common. The risk assessment will also be used to ascertain the child’s emotional well-being while in the care of the person who committed the acts of domestic violence.
Domestic violence has a lasting impact, affecting not only the victims of the violence but the children in the household who are exposed, directly or indirectly, to family violence as well. Protecting the victim’s health, safety, and welfare is in the best interest of the children of the victim of domestic violence.
Acts of violence committed against a child who is the offspring of a victim of domestic violence is, like domestic violence acts, an escalating problem in New Jersey and across the nation. These children are at risk of serious injury or death. Preventing retaliatory violence against a child of a domestic violence victim is essential for protecting and preserving the lives of these young victims.
Monica’s Law is named after thirty-one year old Monica Paul who, in June, 2008, was shot to death in the presence of her 11 year old daughter at the Helen & Bill Geyer YMCA Family Center in Montclair. Charged in the killing was her ex-partner, Kenneth Duckett, against whom she had obtained a final restraining order.
If Mr. Duckett had been administered a risk assessment his instability would have become evident and Monica would have been allowed to escape him. Instead, Mr. Duckett was awarded parenting time and picked up his children in front of Monica’s home. Monica, knowing she would most likely be murdered, wrote good-bye letters to her children, which were read at her funeral.
This tragedy has had a devastating impact on Monica’s two young children and her family.
Please help prevent something like this from happening again by co-sponsoring A3137/S2235. For more information visit www.monicapaul.org
Domestic violence has a lasting impact, affecting not only the victims of the violence but the children in the household who are exposed, directly or indirectly, to family violence as well. Protecting the victim’s health, safety, and welfare is in the best interest of the children of the victim of domestic violence.
Acts of violence committed against a child who is the offspring of a victim of domestic violence is, like domestic violence acts, an escalating problem in New Jersey and across the nation. These children are at risk of serious injury or death. Preventing retaliatory violence against a child of a domestic violence victim is essential for protecting and preserving the lives of these young victims.
Monica’s Law is named after thirty-one year old Monica Paul who, in June, 2008, was shot to death in the presence of her 11 year old daughter at the Helen & Bill Geyer YMCA Family Center in Montclair. Charged in the killing was her ex-partner, Kenneth Duckett, against whom she had obtained a final restraining order.
If Mr. Duckett had been administered a risk assessment his instability would have become evident and Monica would have been allowed to escape him. Instead, Mr. Duckett was awarded parenting time and picked up his children in front of Monica’s home. Monica, knowing she would most likely be murdered, wrote good-bye letters to her children, which were read at her funeral.
This tragedy has had a devastating impact on Monica’s two young children and her family.
Please help prevent something like this from happening again by co-sponsoring A3137/S2235. For more information visit www.monicapaul.org
