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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 12, 2022 09:34 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Benjamin V. Sanchez and Rep. Melissa Cerrato |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Indefinite Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders |
Imagine that, after having gone through one of the most frightening and traumatic experiences of your life, you must now petition the courts to receive protection from further trauma and violence. Now imagine that you are only permitted to receive this protection for three years, regardless of the level of danger you face. This is the experience of many domestic violence survivors who receive a final protection from abuse (PFA) order in the state of Pennsylvania. If they still feel unsafe after their three years of protection are up, they must petition the court again to have their PFA extended. The current PFA process in Pennsylvania unfairly places the burden of protection on the survivor who, in addition to having to relive the details of their case, must potentially take time off work, find child care, and spend their own money to ask for extended protection. Multiple other states have lifted this burden by offering survivors permanent protection from their abusers. My legislation would add Pennsylvania to the list of states that respect survivors healing from abuse by giving judges the ability to grant an indefinite PFA. Please join me in restoring justice and safety to one of the most vulnerable populations of our society by supporting this important legislation. |