I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to close a critical gap in our justice system: the failure to include protection order violations in standard criminal background checks. This oversight allows individuals with a history of violating protective orders to secure jobs, housing, and even custody or visitation rights without accountability, putting survivors and their children at risk.
Protection orders exist to shield survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and harassment from further harm. However, because these violations are typically classified as civil matters rather than criminal convictions, they often do not appear in background checks conducted by employers, landlords, and family courts. This omission not only endangers survivors but also allows repeat offenders to continue their abusive behavior without consequence.
The Urgent Need to Protect Children
Children are among the most vulnerable when protection order violations go unreported or unrecognized. Parents who have repeatedly violated protective orders can still gain custody or unsupervised visitation, placing children in harm’s way. Without these violations being made visible in legal and background checks, courts may unknowingly grant access to individuals who pose a threat to their child’s safety and well-being.
By implementing these changes, we can provide greater protection for survivors and children, increase public safety, and hold repeat offenders accountable. I urge you to introduce and support legislation that ensures these violations are visible, enforceable, and taken seriously in legal and protective proceedings.
Please let me know your stance on this issue and what steps you will take to address it. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further.
Thank you for your time and commitment to public safety.
