Vella Bill to Protect Victims of Sexual Crimes

ROCKFORD, Ill. – To provide additional support to victims, state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, helped pass legislation that would make civil no contact orders permanent if the defendant is convicted of a sexual crime.

“We must do everything in our power to prevent those who have been victims of horrific crimes from facing additional hardships and trauma stemming from those crimes,” said Vella. “Requiring victims of sexual crimes to have to appear in court every couple of years, which forces them to potentially see their perpetrator, to ensure they don’t have to see their perpetrator is harmful and counterproductive.”

Currently, civil no contact orders last for two years, requiring victims to have to reappear in court to get a new no contact order. In response, Vella introduced HB 734, which passed the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously, allowing victims to make civil no contact orders permanent if the defendant is convicted of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Since entering the General Assembly, Vella has worked to protect victims. He introduced legislation barring the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services from taking away children from their parent just because the parent is a victim of domestic abuse. In addition, Vella has worked to protect those who keep our communities safe by pushing for a bill that would create a “Law Enforcement Bill of Rights.”

“One of the most important things that we can do in Springfield is find commonsense solutions to improve the lives of residents,” said Vella. “I am proud to support legislation that improves our laws to actually work for those they’re supposed to protect.”