Crisis Intervention Director Supports Domestic Violence Bill
Written by Andrew-Rossi on February 21, 2018
In a unanimous vote on Friday, a bill that would add harsher punishments to domestic violence crimes passed a third and final reading in the Senate.
The harsher sentences lined out in Senate File 19 would apply to crimes including domestic battery and assault, strangulation, and stalking. Lisa Peterman, director of Crisis Intervention Services in Cody, says that while in the past their office has opposed the addition of harsher sentences in domestic violence cases, that opposition has softened.
Peterman says that their coalition has been concerned that fewer women would come forth if they knew that their spouse or domestic partner could face harsher punishments should they be arrested for abuse. But she says that attitude seems to be shifting.
Member of the sponsoring committee, and Laramie County Senator, Tara Nethercott says that support of this bill in the Senate shows that Wyoming is committed to providing a safe environment to preventing domestic violence and making sure the state is safe.
If passed through the House and signed by the Governor, the changes will take effect on July 1.
