Progress! House Passes Survivor's Law to Help Prosecute Domestic Abusers

With the West Virigina House in the bag, the next stop for Celena's Law is the state Senate. And it should power on through without much trouble.

Last week, the WV House of Delegates unanimously voted to strengthen law enforcement's ability to prosecute domestic violence perpetrators. "Celena's Law" is named for Celena Roby, a survivor of years of domestic abuse who sought to prosecute her husband after being held captive in their home. Yet though her violent spouse admitted to a judge that he'd held her against her will, he went free, due to the judge's decision that Roby didn't fear being harmed enough and a loophole in state kidnapping law. The new bill, originally penned by Roby on a Post-it, would create a new misdemeanor charge of unlawful restraint, pulling that loophole closed. Had this law existed previously, her husband would have been guilty.

Roby's proposal for a new law and fervent efforts toward its passage attracted the attention and support of legislators and groups such as the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and West Virginia Sheriff's Association, who immediately recognized the serious flaw in their current legal framework.

"My reaction today is hard to describe in words," Roby told West Virginia's Journal after the bill's passage in the House. "I describe my years with him as being a puppet. Every time I have accomplished something since I have escaped, it's been like cutting a string. Today I got to cut a pretty big string." Roby provides an inspiring example of a strong woman who took her own negative experiences and decided to do something to help other domestic abuse victims, singlehandedly creating a dialogue around an issue that had previous flown under the radar.

Celena's Law, hailed as an excellent new tool for law enforcement to use in combating domestic violence, is expected to receive a similarly positive reception in the West Virginia Senate. To make sure it passes and stand with Celena Roby, please sign this petition asking state senators to pass Celena's Law and make this a major victory for domestic abuse victims.

Photo credit: Support Celena's LAW Facebook Page