A proposed law in Wyoming would allow judges to issue permanent, lifetime protection orders for victims of sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence.
This change is aimed at preventing victims from facing the trauma of renewing protection orders every few years.
The bill has received little opposition and passed the first stage in the Wyoming Joint Judiciary Committee.
Currently, protection orders in Wyoming last one to three years, but the new law would allow judges to extend them permanently. Victims would still have the option to terminate the order at any time.
The law would also end the practice of tolling, where the duration of an order is paused during an offender’s incarceration, a process that has become burdensome for victims.
For one woman in northeast Wyoming, the law could offer much-needed relief. She and her husband were granted a stalking order against their daughter, who struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues.
They have faced years of harassment, including threatening calls and texts. After obtaining the order, they dealt with the difficulty of extending it while their daughter was incarcerated.
Sandy Stevens, a domestic violence advocate, says permanent protection orders would reduce trauma for victims and prevent abusers from manipulating the system.
The law would make it easier for victims to escape abusive situations and provide law enforcement with clearer legal grounds to intervene.
The proposed law would be a significant improvement, according to Cara Chambers, director of the Division of Victim Services at the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office. It would provide a lasting safety net for victims and help reduce the burden on courts.
The woman in northeast Wyoming, while relieved her daughter’s threats are less frequent now, still fears for her safety and the safety of her grandchild. She supports the law, hoping it will provide peace of mind and prevent future harm from her daughter’s erratic behavior.