Politics & Government

Senator Squadron Encourages Passage of Domestic Violence Bill

Domestic violence cases up 12 percent city wide.

State Senator Daniel Squadron cited statistics released today - that show a more than 12 percent increase in domestic violence cases in New York City - in his call for action on a recently introduced domestic violence bill.

"Today's report on rising domestic violence must be a call to action," he said.

The bill, in June, would strengthen the current domestic violence laws by establishing "aggravated domestic violence" as a felony crime for abusers who commit two or more offenses within five years.

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Give law enforcement the tools they need to protect victims and families from this horrific trend now," said Squadron.

The bill is dedicated to Officer Alain Schaberger, who was responding to a domestic violence call involving a career criminal with repeated domestic violence arrests on record.

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Because of domestic violence our son is dead," Schaberger's father Paul Schaberger said in June. "Something needs to be done."

Under the current law, only abusers who kill their victims or cause serious physical injury face felony charges, and those who repeatedly commit domestic violence offenses can only be charged with a misdemeanor, which puts them back on the streets.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill