Manley Backs Bill to Protect Sexual Crime Victims

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Romeoville, is supporting legislation that allow victims of sexual crimes to have permanent civil no contact orders against their assailants if they are convicted of a sexual crime.

“It is unacceptable to force victims to have to repeatedly see their perpetrators in court in order to have a civil no contact order in place,” said Manley. “We must work to make sure that the system is set up to protect and support victims, and this legislation is an important step in that direction.”

Manley is co-sponsoring HB 734, which allows 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. The current law requires victims to return to court every two years to renew the no contact order, forcing victims to see their perpetrator up to every two years in order to ensure they don’t have to see them.

Throughout her time in the General Assembly, Manley has been a fierce advocate for victims. In a previous session, Manley co-sponsored legislation to create the Domestic Violence Task Force, which would do a comprehensive review of current domestic violence laws across the state and find ways to improve existing laws.

“After someone is a victim of a horrific crime, the last thing they need is to have to deal with a legal system that is not supportive or even actively harmful,” said Manley. “I will continue to fight to make Illinois a safer and more supportive state for victims.”