Monica's Law against Domestic Violence
The Petition
1) Women who have official documented evidence of domestic violence i.e. hospital or police reports; have the right to withhold visitation of their child for fear of their life and or the life of their children.
a) While Monica had a court ordered restraining order, Kenneth still had curbside visitation of the children which kept him in constant contact with Ms. Paul. This gave him total access to her personal life; home, work, and the school of the children. Kenneth knew her every move, thus enabling him to murder her where he did.
b) While the children show no evidence of physical abuse from Kenneth; the mental abuse that they have endured throughout their life is undeniable. The actions of Mr. Duckett demonstrate his toxicity not only to Ms. Paul but to his children; he showed no regard for their future, without not only their mother but, also their father.
2) Pursuant to a restraining order visitation rights of the father will only be reinstituted after the father has successfully undergone Risk Assessment by a public official trained in domestic violence.
a) A risk assessment would have most likely revealed Mr. Duckett’s mental state, showing that he was indeed a threat to Ms. Paul.
b) It is important that this evaluation is completed by a public official trained in domestic violence because they are better equipped to identify and assess any risks
3) Violating a restraining order will have a punishment of 3-5 years; equivalent to a gun charge.
a) Some people take restraining orders to be a joke. New laws are sorely needed to deter this behavior, making clear the severity of their actions. A stiff penalty as such will force others to seriously think before violating a court ordered judgment.
4) If the offender is convicted; the offender must wear an electronic device that notifies the victim as well as the police when he/she is within proximity.
a) If Ms. Paul knew that Mr. Duckett was in the vicinity at a time when he did not have visitation of the children she would have been able to immediately remove her children and herself from the area; thus avoiding conflict with him, and saving her life.
