Domestic Violence Bill

GREENVILLE — Governor Mike Easley signed a domestic violence bill into law last week that officials hope will decrease the number of domestic violence related deaths by strengthening domestic violence laws.

The new law, House Bill 1354, was signed in Asheville last Thursday. To celebrate the signing, local government officials and domestic violence sponsors, including the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, gathered at the Pitt County Family Violence Center in Greenville. Rep. Marian McLawhorn organized the gathering and said she wanted to let those involved in preventing domestic violence know how much they were appreciated. "It’s often a thoughtless job," McLawhorn said. "We had a lot of input and we worked hard. We’re just delighted that we are able to do this. I know that we did not do enough but it’s a start."

McLawhorn told the crowded room of supporters that although the new bill would not get rid of domestic violence altogether, it would make penalties tougher on those who violated the domestic violence laws.

"We are not going to eradicate domestic violence, but we are going to strengthen the penalty," McLawhorn said. "We want North Carolina to be known as a state that has zero tolerance for domestic violence."

The new law brings several changes, one which will creates a new strangulation offense. The strangulation offense states that any person who assaults another person and inflicts physical injury by strangulation is guilty of a Class H felony.

The changes were mostly recommendations made by a 24-member committee that was put together to see what could be done about domestic violence deaths. Rep. McLawhorn was a part of the committee and sponsored the bill as well as Rep. Edith Warren, who also attended the celebration and praised the new bill’s signing.

"Domestic Violence really is a crisis and we really need to get rid of this monster that exists in all our communities," Warren said.

Sgt. John Guard, of the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office domestic violence unit also attended the event and praised the efforts of legislators in making the bill a reality.

"It was amazing to me the effort put into this," Guard said. "They weren’t just listening, they were passionate."

Diana Lucas, who serves as the Executive Director of the Family Violence Center in Greenville, said the support received from legislators and police officials was outstanding and she hoped the new bill would have an effect on domestic violence penalties.  

"This was a jewel in the crown to find out how much support there was," Lucas said. "Without our legislators, we couldn’t do anything we do. We just seem to do things right in Pitt County and I’m proud of us."

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