MLRI Signs onto TRAC Coalition Letter to the Editor Regarding Coercive Control Bill
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly received a letter to the editor last week from the Together Rising Against Coercion Coalition, of which the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute is on the Steering Committee. The letter outlines some key facts regarding an Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation, popularly known as the ‘Revenge Porn’ bill, in relation to the MLW front page story “Revenge porn law raises bail, dangerousness concerns” (July 1).
TRAC Coalition Applauds Legislators for Passing Bill to Expand Definition of Domestic Abuse
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute applauds the Massachusetts’ Legislature for approving legislation to protect survivors of domestic abuse. An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation expands the definition of domestic abuse to include coercive control, the foundation of all forms of abuse. Coercive control is a pattern of deliberate behavior used by an abuser to restrict their victim’s safety and autonomy. Massachusetts now becomes the seventh state in the nation to recognize coercive control as a harmful form of domestic abuse. The law also aligns Massachusetts with 48 other states who have already outlawed revenge porn, a form of coercive control. Prior law in Massachusetts limited the definition of domestic violence to physical and sexual assault or fear of imminent serious physical harm.
Q&A with Jamie Sabino, Deputy Director of Advocacy
Mass Law Reform is powered by our advocates – talented and committed individuals who work together to fight for the needs of low-income people. We want to highlight these advocates, starting with Jamie Sabino, MLRI’s Deputy Director of Advocacy.
Jamie Sabino joined MLRI in October 2014. She is the Deputy Director of Advocacy and the Managing Attorney of the Civil Legal Needs for Victims of Crime Initiative (CLAVC). The CLAVC Initiative is supported by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance through a Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
In addition, she serves as lead advocate for the Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project (DVLAP) including facilitating the Family Law Task Force, a statewide group of legal services family law attorneys, attorneys in domestic violence service provider agencies, and attorneys involved in family law pro bono programs and law school clinics.