Domestic Abuse

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this month reaffirmed when a court finds an individual to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another, that individual may be temporarily have their guns taken.

The Illinois bill, which has bipartisan support, would take guns from people with restraining orders against them. It failed for a third time in the legislature.

Rates of adults and children seeking and receiving shelter due to domestic violence are increasing in Missouri and Illinois.

Domestic violence victims are utilizing hotlines more often — but experts say this likely reflects a growth in awareness of assistance options as well as courage.

“No victim should ever walk into a courtroom by themselves,” says retired St. Louis County Circuit Judge Mike Burton, who launched St. Louis Survivors Legal Support to provide legal representation for victims of domestic violence.

A state law that has been around since the 1970s and was last amended in 2016 lists pregnancy as a barrier for finalizing divorce. HB 2402 would clarify that language to specify that pregnancy status shall not stop the court from finalizing dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

The legislation, stalled at the Illinois statehouse, is aimed at taking guns from those accused of domestic violence.

The Illinois bill was named for Chicago domestic violence victim allegedly shot and killed by husband this summer

Many women report staying in abusive relationships over fear of leaving their pet. A St. Louis domestic violence shelter is working to remove that deterrent.

The legislation changes Missouri law by requiring judges start each child custody case with the presumption that “equal or approximately equal” parenting time for each parent is in the child’s best interests. But the bill, passed in the final hour of the legislative session, could make it more difficult for victims to escape abusive relationships and protect their children.