State Reps. Dubitsky and Ackert Stand Up Against Domestic Violence

HARTFORD – In conjunction with February being Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, State Representative Rep. Doug Dubitsky (R-47) and Tim Ackert (R-8) stood alongside their fellow male lawmakers in a show of support and unity against domestic violence in a press conference sponsored by Interval House’s, Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence group.

“Domestic violence is something all members of our community should work to prevent. As men, we have a unique opportunity to help boys understand what is expected of them in our society and what types of conduct will not be tolerated. That message must be heard early in a young man’s life and reinforced as he grows into a man,” Rep. Dubitsky said.

“I’d like to commend all of the groups involved who are working toward the reduction and elimination of all types of domestic violence,” Rep. Ackert said. “In order to ensure that violent behaviors aren’t accepted in our society all of us need to be engaged as to what is going on and it starts with raising children in environments where violent or abusive behaviors aren’t tolerated.”

As recently as last year, Connecticut revisited existing domestic violence laws in order to modify and strengthen the previous legislation.

Public Act No. 17-31, An Act Concerning Strengthening Laws Concerning Domestic Violence, makes various changes to current laws concerning crimes against an individual:

• Specifies that electronic or social media are among the methods, devices, or means by which conduct that constitutes stalking may occur
• Broadens the strangulation statutes to include suffocation when a person obstructs another person’s nose or mouth
• Increases the penalty for violations of release conditions when the violation involves certain conduct
• Requires a presentence investigation for anyone convicted of a family violence crime for which a prison sentence may be imposed and prohibits them from waiving the investigation
• Expands the conduct that constitutes stalking to include conduct that causes substantial “emotional distress”

According to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCA | DV), their organization helped 38,404 reported victims in 2017. Approximately 2,200 of the men and women involved in these incidents required shelter services. These facilities operated at a 122% capacity throughout the year.