St. Joseph, Mo. – The YWCA of St. Joseph said a bill signed by Gov. Jay Nixon Wednesday will give victim’s of sexual assault more protection.
Nixon signed four bills Wednesday at the St. Joseph Youth Alliance that he said will fill gaps in Missouri legislation to protect citizens of all ages. Among those was Senate Bill 321 which will allow victims of sexual assault to seek orders of protection from the court, regardless of the perpetrator of the crime.
“It will give them a tool that they will go to the courts and get an order of protection,” said Senator Dan Hegeman, bill sponsor. “It’s very similar to what’s already available for domestic abuse and victim’s of stalking we just added in victim’s of sexual assault to give them the opportunity for protection by the government from their perpetrator”
Jean Brown, YWCA of St. Joseph Executive Director said the bill will provide more protection for victims.
“For us as a provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services it just gives us another legal tool to use in keeping sexual assault survivors and the advocates that work with them safer,” Brown said.
She said prior to this bill in Missouri there was no opportunity for victim’s of sexual assault to gain an order of protection.
“This is a court remedy to keep that perpetrator at bay,” Brown said. “Can’t be close, can’t be close to where she lives, and so it will just help keep her safer.”
Hegeman said the bill passed the House and Senate unanimously.