Senate Sends Bill to Curb Interstate Abuse to Governor’s Desk
MADISON – Today, the State Senate gave final approval to a bill that grants Wisconsin courts jurisdiction
over interstate stalking, harassment and domestic abuse restraining order cases. Advocates praised the
passage of Assembly Bill 10 and looked forward to Governor Walker signing the legislation into law.
“Assembly Bill 10 will give Wisconsin courts authority to issue restraining orders when out-of-state abusers use technology, like email or text messages, to stalk or harass Wisconsinites,” said Patti Seger, executive director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin.
“We know that stalking and other forms of abuse don’t stop at state borders; yet in some cases, the
jurisdiction of our courts do,” continued Seger. “A victim’s ability to get a restraining order shouldn’t depend on legal technicalities. This change in the law will create protection that effectively recognizes our
increasingly mobile and technological society.”
Courts in other states, including Indiana, Iowa and Washington, already have wide authority to enter
restraining orders against non-resident abusers.
“Wisconsin’s jurisdictional statutes were written to deal with lawsuits about things like product liability,” said Seger. “Petitions for restraining orders—court cases in which someone’s peace of mind, safety, or even life is on the line—are entirely different. This measure will modernize our laws to account for the fact that abuse knows no boundaries.”
The Assembly passed the bill in February.
“We want to thank the sponsors of the legislation, Representative Amy Loudenbeck, Senator Wanggaard,
Senator Harsdorf and Representative Jacque. We also thank the survivors of digital abuse who came
forward to tell their stories during the legislative process.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equality, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse.
We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1−800−799−SAFE(7233)] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at http://www.wcadv.org/gethelp.