My name is Laura Moseley and I am a 23+ year survivor of sexual and domestic abuse. I am outraged that we live in the 21st century and domestic violence is as rampant and frequent as it is. What makes the abuse worse, is that when a victim of abuse tries to get away, especially when the abuser has been documented as abusive and charges are pending against the abuser, that judges refuse to hold the abuser in jail. Most people are not aware that the most dangerous time for a victim is once they leave active abuse. They know what to expect if they stay, so they are extremely brave to leave that undesirable situation and venture out on their own. However, the reason most victims stay is for that very same reason -- we know to expect the unexpected if we leave. Domestic violence calls are also very dangerous for responding law enforcement -- the ripple effect is amazing, but no one takes the time to think about how many lives that DV affects, not to mention the victim’s children.

With that decision being hard enough, another woman, local to me and with the same first name as myself, did just that and got away from her abuser: she filed protective orders and did everything she was supposed to do. However, the local judge saw no legal reason to hold the abuser. The abuser was released and later killed his victim. My abuser stalked me, multiple times, once I was out and was supposed to stand before the same judge. Was I to die next??? Did Laura Russell, of Madison, Indiana die in vain???

I cannot abide by this and am asking you to stand with me in petitioning the Indiana State House, specifically State Representative Zach Payne to revive “Laura’s Law,” HB 1518. This law would help reform Indiana law regarding arrest warrants, domestic violence charges, and orders of protection. Specifically, this law would “provides that if a court denies a request for an arrest warrant involving a crime of domestic violence, a prosecuting attorney may petition a court to hold an ex parte hearing to present additional evidence to establish probable cause. Requires a court to hold the ex parte hearing within 24 hours after the petition is filed. Provides that if a court denies a request for an arrest warrant after the ex parte hearing and issues a summons for the defendant, certain notice of the summons to the victim is required. Requires the service of summons on a defendant concerning an alleged crime of domestic violence to be served by a law enforcement officer. Requires a bail hearing if a person is charged with a crime of domestic violence. Enhances the penalty for invasion of privacy to a Level 6 felony if a person violates a no contact order that was issued as a condition of probation or a bond. Enhances the penalty for domestic battery to a Level 6 felony if a person has a previous conviction of domestic battery. Provides that bail must be revoked for a defendant charged with a crime of domestic violence who violates a no contact order while on bail and who is subsequently charged with invasion of privacy or a subsequent crime of domestic violence (Indiana General Assembly 2017).”

Mr. Payne’s predecessor was in charge of the bill, which was determined to not be a high enough priority to be passed into law in 2017. This cannot stand! My hope is to flood Mr. Payne’s office with these requests, so he will look into reviving this bill and push to pass “Laura’s Law” into state law. So many more victims have died, especially during the recent pandemic. One death is even too much!

Please join me in requesting the bill’s revival and expedited legislation. How many more victims need to die because our state’s laws are ambiguous and subject to wild interpretation? Even if you are not an Indiana resident, you can still sign the petition! Look at the laws regarding your state and ask him to set a precedent so that your state can follow by example. While many states are now paying attention and passing laws, named after victims who didn’t survive, many states still do not have specific laws in place. Please do not sit idly by and allow any more victims to lose their lives. Chances are there are people in your life that are suffering right now, in silence, that you know and love, that could be hurt or die senselessly. Thank you in advance for your support!