Witness Justice: Helping Victim's become survivor's

Witness Justice (WJ) is a national 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to offer advocacy and support to victims of violence and trauma. The programs and services of WJ are rooted in collaboration with organizations of all types (nonprofit, faith-based, government, community, and others), providing a sound foundation from which to assist survivors of trauma as a result of violence.

The WJ staff is comprised of individuals that have a passion for victim rights and services, along with a personal desire to see victims heal and achieve justice. Whether working on crime prevention efforts or generating a new program to fill a gap in what victims need, we are a passionate, committed team working tirelessly to make a difference for survivors of violent crime everywhere.

GPS technology bill unanimously passed IL House: Great news for domestic violence & stalking victims!

Good news for domestic violence & stalking victims with protective orders!

The Illinois House on Thursday unanimously passed legislation that will allow judges to order GPS monitoring for those who violate orders of protection. The proposed law is modeled on the statute in Massachusetts which already has similar legislation in place.

With the GPS technology the victims of domestic violence and stalking will now have "technology" as their witness. No longer will victims have to battle the "he said" "she said" when reporting violations of their protective orders. More importantly, victims will no longer have to rely upon unreliable witness testimony.

Often in criminal cases like these that stem from restraining order violations, witnesses are reluctant to testify or do not want to get involved for fear of retaliation from the abuser or because they don't want to get involved in what could be a lengthy and time consuming court case.

Abusers have relied upon the many weaknesses of domestic violence restraining orders until now -as GPS technology utilized to enhance restraining orders will help "level out the playing field".

This legislation is long over due! Hopefully all 50 states will adopt similar legislation.

SB 2163: Oklahoma GPS/Restraining order bill moving forward!

Great News! GPS/Restraining order bills are moving forward one step at a time - state by state!

Oklahoma like Illinois has momentum building for a GPS/Restraining order bill that is moving forward through the legal channels as we speak! Massachusetts has already passed similar legislation in 2007. Oklahoma's SB 2163 is closer to becoming law now than ever!

Today I received "word" from Jeri Holland, the Executive Assistant to Senator Debbe Leftwich, and she gave me the great news that SB 2163 passed the senate 3-11-08 48 ayes - 0 nays.

This bill has now passed out of the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee w/the title restored. The next step for the bill is to go to the house floor for a vote.


This is a real victory for those of us with domestic violence retraining orders! Hopefully legislation like this will continue to be adopted throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Please support this legislation! You can help ensure that this bill passes by showing your support by contacting the Oklahoma House Co-Authors’ Representatives Ron Peters, Lee Denney, Daniel Sullivan, Charlie Joyner, Sue Tibbs, Mark McCullough and Paul Roan and all the other members of the house either by email, letter, or phone call in your support of this bill.

One Person can make a difference!

Domestic Violence restraining orders are going high-tech!

Law makers in Massachusetts last year passed a law that allows GPS monitoring devices to be utilized to help combat violations of protective orders in their state.

It was reported today in the Chicago Tribune and on-line news sources that Illinois is following in the footsteps of Massachusetts! Bravo! Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst-Illinois), one of the measure's sponsors- I applaud your efforts!

The proposed Illinois legislation mirrors a similar law in Massachusetts, which last year gave authorities the option of using tracking by global positioning systems, or GPS, for those under protection orders. The device alerts the victim and police if the harasser approaches such restricted safe zones as a home or workplace.

This is great news for those of us who have domestic violence restraining orders as this will help to alleviate much of the proverbial “he said -she said”. This is life saving legislation that is long overdue! Domestic violence restraining orders and orders of protection are more powerful than ever before thanks to new legislation that has been passed and GPS technology.

Please ask your state law makers to adopt this law in your state!

Link to Chicago Tribune Story:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/chi-domestic-violence_both_02apr02,1,5546789.story

Support for AB 1771: Myra Spearman a survivor's point of view

Myra Spearman, a past survivor of domestic violence knows first hand how difficult it is for victims to become survivors. She asked me to share her thoughts on why she is supporting California AB 1771 Nadga's law which many refer to as the "Domestic Violence Database bill".

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My name is Myra Spearman, I am a victim of domestic violence and I have created the 1st "NATIONAL DATABASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSERS". http://www.domesticviolencedatabase.org/

This database may be viewed by the general public. It serves as a public awareness and prevention tool to assist in the Fight Against Domestic Violence. It is not a CURE, but it’s a DAMN' GOOD START!!!!

HERE ARE MY THOUGHT’S PERTAINING TO THE OPPOSITION OF CA AB 1771

1.) “Victim’s would not be in the database” These are individuals that have been, "Tried and Convicted" in a Court of Law. We (this bill) has not passed judgment upon them- a jury of their peers did in a court of law right here in the United States of America. If anyone has been wrongly convicted, then they have the same rights of appeal as anyone else in our nation. Those wrongly convicted in this situation may actually have stronger grounds for appeal now with the database than they ever did before!

2). “False Sense of Security” We know this, Law Enforcement will make an arrest even if the victim’s doesn't want to press charges in some cases –not all.

Are all abusers arrested and prosecuted? Absolutely NOT... Are all Sex Offenders arrested and prosecuted? NO...Does Megan's Law provide a "False Sense of Security"? I think you can understand what I am saying here.

Are any of us that ignorant to believe that all of the sex offenders in the country are listed in the sex offender's registry? We know that not all domestic abusers will be listed in the database; however, some method of prevention is better than none which is what we have now.

AB 1771 will deter domestic violence which is better than what we have now, as with the rising numbers of domestic violence cases in our nation something is always better than nothing!

Domestic Violence prevention is a "work in progress" we have to start somewhere. I think this bill is better than keeping our heads in the sand.

I think that if we are thinking about “offending the abuser”, we need to have our heads examined!

Violence should not be tolerated! Opposing this bill -especially when the opposition consists of the many organizations that claim to be “domestic violence victim support agencies” is hard for victims like me and my family to take. Whose side are the domestic violence organizations on anyway?

Why wouldn't an Apartment Manager want to know if there is an abuser living in their complex? Why wouldn’t my daughter, sister or brother want to know about a person’s violent background before they marry or get involved with them? This is not a new concept - as “self-help” is something that has been part of the American way since the inception of our constitution.

Domestic violence is destructive and malicious behavior that results in most of the disturbance and security calls that take place at apartment complexes and residences. Domestic violence is also the catalyst for millions of calls each year responded to by law enforcement that occur in the work place of millions of American’s each year. We have to stop this cycle-this is a start.

Do the math...prevention is a better solution than housing abusers in our nation’s overcrowded prisons with "our" tax dollars- and it is better for our citizens not to fall victim to domestic abuse- as the bruises and broken bones may heal, but the emotional scars never do! Identifying our loves ones bodies at the morgue is not a valid solution either.

I SUPPORT CA AB 1771 AND YOU SHOULD TOO!

Myra Spearman, President & Founder
The Weaker Vessel Inc.http://www.domesticviolencedatabase.org/

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