Team,

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is an issue I have been working on since I was elected into office. As someone who experienced violence when I was younger, I have worked hard to address this issue and pass legislation that supports survivors and puts an end to violence. No one deserves to experience domestic violence, ever.

I spoke to the Battered Women's Justice Project and the National Conference on Domestic Violence earlier this month. These groups are doing important work to raise awareness about domestic violence and make sure survivors have access to life-saving resources.

Earlier this year, I introduced bipartisan legislation to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people by closing the “boyfriend loophole”. 

The Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act would prevent those convicted of certain stalking offenses from purchasing firearms, clarify that abusive dating partners subject to specific court orders are treated the same as an abusive spouse, and update the definition of “dating relationship” to close the “boyfriend loophole”. 

Will you stand with me this Domestic Violence Awareness Month and sign my petition to show your support for the Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act? Add your name right next to mine here. 

Thank you for your support,

– Debbie