As we stand on the threshold of a new century, I pledge to continue to make domestic violence a cornerstone of my criminal justice agenda. Since 1995, we have made violating an order of protection a felony with mandatory jail time. We allowed courts to admit evidence of domestic violence in child custody proceedings. We passed primary aggressor legislation that ensures domestic violence victims are not arrested for defending themselves against attack.
Awareness is another critical element in ending domestic violence.
But ultimately, what we have to do is make everyone aware that domestic violence isn't a dirty little secret. It is a crime , a crime that destroys people in the very homes that should be their sanctuaries of peace and tranquility. The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence recently initiated a public awareness campaign to promote that message. I encourage all of you to display OPDV's bumper sticker to help with that awareness. Domestic violence is a malicious and cowardly crime.