New York Gov. George Pataki signed a bill Tuesday that says police must determine who was the aggressor before arresting anyone in a domestic violence dispute. Women who fight back against their abuser will no longer be arrested for misdemeanor assault, as was the case previously.
“Women who are the targets of domestic violence should not be victimized again by being arrested simply for defending themselves,” said Pataki. Sherry Frohman, executive director of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence praised Pataki and said the bill would encourage domestic violence victims to report abuse. Pataki also announced that New York would participate in the National March to End the Silence by sending 200 people to Washington.
