Calls for stricter penalties for protection from abuse order violators

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Three pieces of legislation are in the works to make penalties stricter for those who violate protection from abuse orders.

"Right now in Cumberland County, violating a protection order most likely gets that abuser with a $300 fine and six months of probation," says Stephanie Spurgeon with Domestic Violence Services. "This message is telling abusers that if they can afford to be abusive, they can continue to do that."

It's a safety concern for victims and responding law enforcement.

"Once they've reached that point of violating it in their own minds, they know they've crossed the line so they're more inclined to act out against the officers who are responding when the 911 call comes in and we saw that over this weekend," says Silver Spring Township Chief of Police Christopher Raubenstine.

Early Friday morning 22-year-old Ricky Shannon of Altoona allegedly shot four people, killing one , before he led police on a chase from Lancaster to Dauphin County. Multiple protection from abuse orders had been filed in the case.

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Morning Weather Forecast Rep. Emily Kinkead (D – Allegheny County) says she is working on three pieces of legislation with her colleagues. One would ensure that those who participate in the address confidentiality program are able to buy homes because right now that program does not cover real property deeds.

"No one should be locked into renting for the rest of their life because someone has violated their safety," says Rep. Kinkead.

Other legislation would introduce a tiered sentencing structure with stricter penalties.

"It's time that we say today, the abuser should be the one fleeing and not the victim," says Rep. Thomas Kutz (R – Cumberland County).

According to advocacy groups at Tuesday's press conference, 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men and nearly half of the LGBTQ community will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.