To: The Michigan State House, The Michigan State Senate, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Domestic Violence
Help give victims a voice. Impose stricter punishments on abusers, save victims from continuous victimization from people who are associated and longer incarceration before release on bond, and high bond requirements.
Why is this important?
In December of 2014 I was having a great time at my then boyfriend's work Christmas party, until the unthinkable happened, he tried to end my life. He got angry and wanted to talk outside, when we got to the car he wanted to drive and I said no, I tried to walk away which resulted in him beating me against a car, when I began to scream he strangled me. I went unconscious and he hid my body in the car. I woke up and asked him what he was doing. He had a terrifying look on anger on his face. He climbed into the car and strangled me again. I screamed for help; I couldn't move or breath. I went unconscious again. People pushed pulled and screamed trying to get him off of me. He threatened their lives as he continued to strangle me unconscious three times. Over and over I woke up to a nightmare, thinking that I was going to die. Eventually I accepted that I would but finally I was saved. I was hospitalized. My ex was released on a $5,000 bond within 24 hours of the assault. Then he broke his bond with 28 attempts to contact me. He texted me, left me notes, even used his family and friends to give me messages and deter me from pressing charges. His bond was raised to $20,000, then $25,000. Other similar cases in our area set bonds of over $100,000 because criminal sexual conduct was involved. However the aspect of violence wasn't nearly as violent as in my case. After the trial, his family stalked me, harassed me, and terrorized me. I was unable to live my life without fear and privacy.
If my ex boyfriend had a bond that fit his crime I wouldn't have had to move my home, lose my privacy, and my safety. Bond conditions should be a stricter amount and should be increased for all violent domestic assaults. Stricter punishments should follow those who commit acts of domestic violence regardless if they have no criminal history. People who commit acts of domestic violence should be punished as anyone who commits the violent acts on a stranger. Furthermore they should remain in jail for the duration of the trial to maintain safety and security of their victim. If bonds are granted they should be no less than $50,000, and increase as the severity of the crime increases. Additionally I would like to ask legislatures to create a domestic violence registry. Once you have been charged and proved guilty entering into a registry just as child abusers and pedophiles can help keep other women from being victimized.
If my ex boyfriend had a bond that fit his crime I wouldn't have had to move my home, lose my privacy, and my safety. Bond conditions should be a stricter amount and should be increased for all violent domestic assaults. Stricter punishments should follow those who commit acts of domestic violence regardless if they have no criminal history. People who commit acts of domestic violence should be punished as anyone who commits the violent acts on a stranger. Furthermore they should remain in jail for the duration of the trial to maintain safety and security of their victim. If bonds are granted they should be no less than $50,000, and increase as the severity of the crime increases. Additionally I would like to ask legislatures to create a domestic violence registry. Once you have been charged and proved guilty entering into a registry just as child abusers and pedophiles can help keep other women from being victimized.