Domestic Violence Advocacy Letter: Pushing for a change in the Delaware Code

Danielle E. Murray, JD 2007
South Royalton, VT 05068

New Castle County Courthouse
500 N. King Street, Suite 9425
Wilmington, DE 19801

Dear _________________,

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my proposal to amend Title 10, Chapter 9, § 1041(2) of the Delaware Code. Please allow me to introduce myself and explain why amending the definition of “Domestic violence” will help to meet the Domestic Violence Coordinating Counsels (DVCC) mission to reduce domestic violence and abuse in all of its forms.

As a third year student at Vermont Law School, I elected to take a seminar class entitled Women and the Law, which focuses exclusively on Domestic Violence. As a native Delawarean I was curious to learn more about the various organizations and laws relating to domestic violence in the First State. I was impressed to learn Delaware was one of several states to receive funds from the Center for Disease Control to conduct DELTA programs, Senator Biden drafted the original Violence Against Women Act, and last year the DVCC passed all three of the bills proposed to the state legislature. However, Delaware is now among the minority of states that does not offer protection for victims of domestic abuse in a dating relationship.

Currently, thirty-six states provide protection orders for victims in a dating relationship, including neighboring states New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Over the past ten years, the coverage of domestic violence civil protection orders has increased and the number of states offering protection to members of a dating relationship has more than tripled. In Delaware, victims of domestic violence who do not meet the current statutory requirements are afforded limited remedies, which are often difficult and expensive to obtain. Amending the definition of “Domestic Violence” under Title 10, Chapter 9, § 1041(2), will protect a countless number domestic violence victims.

Accompanying this letter, I have attached various state statues, which allow protective orders for victims in dating relationships and a personal recommendation as to the most effective way for Delaware to amend the definition of “Domestic Violence.” If you have any questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me. If possible, I would also be happy to send you additional research or meet with your organization in Delaware.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Good luck in the future.

Sincerely,

Danielle Murray

Freedom

Reflection Project by Natasha Moodie, JD 2008

NB: One of our assignments was to complete a reflection project, which could be non-legal, personal reflections based on your interest in domestic violence issues. This project was intended to help tie together the domestic violence issues with our own personal development as a lawyer, and to reflect on those connections in a way to foster our personal and professional development.