The 2015 General Assembly passed legislation that will extend civil protections to sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking victims starting January 1, 2016 (2015 House Bill 8). On October 15, Legal Aid of the Bluegrass will host The Summit of Interpersonal and Domestic Violence Orders, a free all-day event that seeks to answer some of the questions expected to come from the expanded domestic violence laws. Currently, in Kentucky, couples who do not live together, do not have a child together, and who are unmarried are not protected under the current emergency protection order process. Those who fall into this dating relationship category can file criminal charges against their perpetrators but have no immediate relief from the courts. The new expansion allows victims to petition for interpersonal protective orders regardless of marital status or living situation.
“House Bill 8 is a significant development in the field of domestic violence and protective orders. It’s essential that advocates and attorneys alike know the new law in order to protect this vulnerable population,” says Joshua Crabtree, Executive Director of Legal Aid of the Bluegrass.
Just in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, participants will hear the interpretation of the amended law from local judges, first responders and other reputable guests. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass is pleased to begin the discussion of the implementation of Kentucky House Bill 8.
This summit features several esteemed speakers including Carol Jordan, Executive Director of the Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Woman at the University of Kentucky, and Mary Savage, Esq., counsel for the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, both who were involved in drafting and advocating for the legislation.