New law helps protect domestic violence victims

Governor Jennifer Granholm Thursday signed a bill that will give domestic violence victims new technology that could keep their assailants at a distance.

[sgtken]

Hurray for our Governor, any tools will help

[Louis King-- Lowell]

I don't think this will help any more than having a protection order against someone helps. How often do we hear of someone having a protection order against an abuser/ex husband, and the person is still killed. We read of it all the time. I think this is just another way to waste money. Besides this, I don't think these abusers/ex husbands really care. Why do I say this? Because of the economy. It's hard to find a job, and work every day. Some of these abusers I'm sure are lazy also, so if they get tossed in jail, so much the better for them. After all, they don't have to pay or do anything for their upkeep. That's left up to all the tax payers in the state/country. Sorry to rain on someones parade, but that's how I see it.

[robert anderson]

I wouldn't know anything about domestic violence. But I don't believe this is a solution . Thirteen dollars a day to monitor these devices . Who could afford that? If the person cant afford the device do they stay in jail? This is a tough situation for a lot of women, and I feel for them, but if I was in fear of my life by someone who is out to hurt me my advice to them is to be armed. This is a tough one.

[Gail in Wyoming]

I've never been in that situation, but thinking if it were my daughter, I would probably encourage her to get the device. Every ounce of prevention is better than none.

I'm hoping that it works for everyone who may be in that dangerous situation.

[Diane]

THIS WOULD BE AN AWESOME THING FOR THE ABUSER.

[stardreamer]

Stalkers should not be eligiable for parole, they need to set their full time in jail, three offenses that should never get granted parole, murder, any sexual offense against children and domestic violence. Seeing the law pasted at least we will have proof where they were when they murder their victim.

[Allegan Redneck]

I dated a DV counselor for a year, I'm sure she would approve of any measure like this which would help tip the balance in favor of the victim. But to address the root cause you need to address the total control that abusers have over thier victims. I can't fathom being in a situation like that, it's like being a brainwashed prisoner. Time and time again she would come home so frustrated because after months of therapy, job training, parenting classes, you name it, the victim would return to thier abuser because {and sing along, you all know the words} "He said he loves me, and he'll never do it again..."

She used to tell me that when it continues to it's conclusion an absusive relationship will end in homocide about 80% of the time. To Robert's point maybe this devise will give the victim enough heads-up that right person gets homocided

[Batch 37 Pain is Good]

Gail in Wyoming wrote:

I've never been in that situation, but thinking if it were my daughter, I would probably encourage her to get the device. Every ounce of prevention is better than none.
I'm hoping that it works for everyone who may be in that dangerous situation.

A friend of mine has a daughter who had an abusive boy friend once. That was the last time the boy friend had contact with her. A little ride alone in the dark of the Manistee National for a very "animated" discussion fixed that problem.

[AQgrad]

As a person who has suffered in domestic dispute situation and had a PPO the new technology will be a godsend. For people who are still at risk of being stalked or harassed this new technology would have allow them to know when their attacker is breaking the PPO, and allow them to contact authorities before an attack actually happens. Yes they will still have to be watchful, and know what is going on around them as well as who is around them at all times, but this will also help curb the number of attacks.

[Allegan Redneck]

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

<quoted text>A friend of mine has a daughter who had an abusive boy friend once. That was the last time the boy friend had contact with her. A little ride alone in the dark of the Manistee National for a very "animated" discussion fixed that problem.

I once helped my ex-girlfriend relocate a woman to another shelter. Her abusive husband had dogged her half-way across the country always (thank God)one step behind her. He was a South Carolina State Trooper and I doubt he would have been so easily persuaded.

[Batch 37 Pain is Good]

Allegan Redneck wrote:

<quoted text>
I once helped my ex-girlfriend relocate a woman to another shelter. Her abusive husband had dogged her half-way across the country always (thank God)one step behind her. He was a South Carolina State Trooper and I doubt he would have been so easily persuaded.

He should be fired from his job.

[Bon Van]

I'm not sure this device will be 100% effective. If it's anything like a tether, which can easily be messed with, then I doubt it will work. But if they can make it tamper proof, then there's hope for victims.

Time will tell if this is an effective deterent for the abuser. I certainly hope it helps. But as someone else said, the victim will still have to be vigilant.

[Bon Van]

Allegan Redneck wrote:

<quoted text>
I once helped my ex-girlfriend relocate a woman to another shelter. Her abusive husband had dogged her half-way across the country always (thank God)one step behind her. He was a South Carolina State Trooper and I doubt he would have been so easily persuaded.

I know this is off topic, but why is it that cops are the most violent abusers of all? Guess they think they're above the law, and can get away with anything, but they should know better. The murder trial for the former Holland cop is a prime example.

[concerned]

I hope this will help at least one...my sister in law's ex, never bothered her once he was arrested the first time, but his family did. his mother, sisters, brothers, they all harrassed her with phone calls in the middle of the night, came to her home and job and would do things to her car, followed her everywhere for weeks. Even after the PPO orders were placed on them, they continued only at a further distance. There was nothing that could be done, because they weren't breaking the restraining order's. It didn't stop until she moved out of state.

[Allegan Redneck]

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

<quoted text>He should be fired from his job.

He had been, rumor had it he played some kind of part in getting a felow trooper killed. I'm not easily rattled but that guy was f-ing scary.

[VT in GR]

Great ideas are always too late for some. Hopefully they will help in the future.

[sandlakeken]

sounds like a pitiful "band aid" to me..........

[tired]

sandlakeken wrote:

sounds like a pitiful "band aid" to me..........

.....Or another tool for the abuser to use to harrass, intimidate and remind someone of his presence. Perhaps instead of sending an email, the device should knock the ABUSER out flat, right off his/her feet for 24 hours.

[EmmaRae]

tired wrote:

<quoted text>
.....Or another tool for the abuser to use to harrass, intimidate and remind someone of his presence. Perhaps instead of sending an email, the device should knock the ABUSER out flat, right off his/her feet for 24 hours.

The device should have a built in taser. Wouldn't that be great.

[Batch 37 Pain is Good]

EmmaRae wrote:

<quoted text>
The device should have a built in taser. Wouldn't that be great.

Bawhaaaaaaa!