The Safe Shelter Bill - Heading to Senate - Florida
Much-needed relief for domestic violence advocates Thursday, April 27, 2006 The Safe Shelter bill cleared the state House this week and it's being hailed as a big win for advocates who fight domestic violence in Florida. The bill cracks down on and increases penalties for anyone who trespasses at a domestic violence shelter. For years, "Rhonda" was in abusive relationship with her ex-husband. She fled to a Hillsborough County shelter, but he tracked her down. "When you have someone creeping around behind your back and you never know when they're going to be there or what they're going to do, it can be terrifying," she said. Terrifying not only for the victim, but for others staying in the shelter as well. Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) Executive Director Linda Osmundson said shelters are supposed to be safe havens, but that isn't always the case. "We've had abusers try to break into windows or come up our stairs or try to be aggressive or threatening to us," Osmundson said. She said in the past, there wasn't much the shelters could do about it. "Before, when we had to just use the trespass laws, we had to call the police," Osmundson said. "The abuser had to stay there until police arrived. We had to warn him in front of police and then we had to wait until he came back again, so he got two chances at us." Under the new legislation, violators would face up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. The bill is receiving good reviews from law enforcement agencies in Florida who said it'll give officers more teeth when it comes to dealing with domestic violence suspects. "When you say is it enough for the abuser who kills somebody, no it's never enough," Osmundson said. However, advocates said it is a start to keep abusers away from their victims. "Rhonda" said the Safe Shelter bill could make leaving easier by keeping shelters more secure for the people living there. The bill is endorsed by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and numerous law enforcement agencies. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote. http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/4/27/155921.html