Contact: Katherine Sele, katherine@ninetywest.com
Jane Doe Inc. Statement on the Senate Passage of An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation
Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, released the following statement after the Massachusetts State Senate voted to pass S.2703, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation:
“Thank you to the Massachusetts Senate for unanimously passing S.2703, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation. Alongside survivors and advocates, Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, has pushed for passage of this essential legislation, which will advance critical protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence across the Commonwealth, including stronger protections against image-based sexual assault – sometimes referred to as “revenge porn” – and coercive control, a pattern of deliberate behavior by an abuser that substantially restricts another person’s safety and autonomy.
This legislation will bring Massachusetts into line with 48 other states that have current protections against image-based sexual assault, and will ensure that state law better reflects the full spectrum of sexual and domestic violence. We are grateful to Senator Michael Moore, Senator Cynthia Creem, and Senator Paul Mark for their work on this legislation, and to every member of the Senate who voted in favor. We are hopeful that there will be a swift resolution from the conference committee, and that the legislation will move to Governor Healey’s desk without delay.”
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ABOUT JDI
JDI (Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence) is the only statewide membership and advocacy coalition in Massachusetts dedicated to addressing sexual and domestic violence. We aim to support survivors and end violence by promoting gender equity, racial justice, and safety for everyone. JDI’s mission is to complement and support the expertise and leadership of our 60 community-based member organizations with a statewide strategy involving public and private partners to tackle systemic issues that foster and perpetuate violence, to create policies and explore innovative solutions that improve the lives of survivors, and to prevent gender-based violence. To learn more visit https://janedoe.org.