Advocates urge expungement access for survivors, victims
Sep 28, 2023
Survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and trafficking are often followed by criminal records that keep them from accessing stable housing and employment, even after they escape their traffickers and abusers, according to advocates hoping to change state law around sealing criminal records.
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briefing at the statehouse today for bills that will give survivors of
trafficking and abuse who have been charged with a crime hope for their
future. 22 new statehouse reporter Ellen Fleming was there and has
information on what the bills will do. A set of bills on Beacon Hill are
looking to give survivors of trafficking and abuse a second chance.
Advocates and lawmakers gathered today for one reason to make sure survivors
aren't retraumatized due to their criminal records. According to the
briefing, 86% of women in prison are survivors of sexual violence. What
advocates explained today is that many survivors of trafficking and abuse are
often forced or coerced to engage in criminal behavior by their abusers, and
this can cause a survivor to be arrested and incarcerated, causing them
to have a criminal record. This legislation, which, you know, almost the
entirety of the country has some form of legislation like this, is basically
recognizing you were caused, you were coerced to engage in this activity, and
because of that, you have a right to have that cleared from your record, and
we want to increase access to that through this bill. The bill, which is
being sponsored by Rep Win, Rep Barber, as well as Senator Gomez and Senator
Miranda, would eliminate the waiting period for sealing criminal records and
expand availability of expungement if a survivor can establish a connection
between their victimization and criminal record. The intention is to make sure
that we allow them a path forward so that they can move beyond the abuse and
start a new chapter in their lives. The bill also expands access to
victimization as a defense for charges a survivor incurred as a result of
trafficking or abuse. Now, these bills have been filed once before, and they
currently sit in the joint committee on the judiciary. Advocates are hoping
that this is the session the bills will make it to the floor for a vote. We're
confused. The Statehouse in Boston, Ellen Fleming, 22 News.