A new law in New York has expanded domestic violence protections to include adult family members, friends and roommates, closing a loophole that previously left them vulnerable.
'Melanie's law' allows all adults linked to the victim access the same protection orders as the victim of domestic abuse. Previously, protections were were only given to those close to the victim who were under the age of 18.
The new legislation, signed into law on Monday, was named after Melanie Chianese, who was killed by her mother's ex-boyfriend in 2022, even though he was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a domestic violence felony.
Melanie's mother, Cheryl Chianese-Cavalli, and her four-year-old grandson, Melanie's son, were both able to get protection orders, but because 29-year-old Melanie was an adult, she was not eligible.
Under New York State Law, a domestic violence protection order affords the protected person greater security, including law enforcement escort if they need to enter a property where another person lives. Additionally, it places restrictions on where abusers can go and how close they can get to the protected person.
Chianese-Cavalli attended the law's signing by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, where she praised the legislation, saying: "Today is a big step forward for domestic violence. Melanie's Law will save lives and her legacy will live on forever in our hearts."
In a statement released shortly after Melanie's law was signed, Governor Hochul said: "Melanie Chianese should be standing with us today, along with countless New Yorkers lost at the hands of senseless and preventable acts of domestic violence.
"By signing Melanie's law, we are committing New York State, our law enforcement and our legal system to the fundamental principle that every person deserves to be protected."
"The passage of Melanie's Law will finally close a harmful and deadly loophole to legally protect friends, roommates, and family against violent and emotionally abusive abusers," New York State Assembly member Brian Cunningham said.
The law was met with praise from several organizations dedicated to dealing with domestic violence in the state.
A spokesperson for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence said: "No one should feel helpless to protect their children, no matter how old they might be, from their abuser. Thank you, Governor Hochul, and our legislators, for taking this step to offer peace of mind and save lives."
Similarly, the state's Office of Victim Services thanked legislators for closing the loophole, with Director Bea Hanson saying: "Melanie's Law recognizes the far-reaching impact of domestic violence and the danger that an abuser may pose to other individuals, not just their intimate partner.
"I thank Governor Hochul and the Legislature for closing this loophole and for their steadfast support of victims' rights."
Newsweek contacted the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence for comment on the new law via email.
Domestic violence has been a growing issue in New York for the last two years, particularly in New York City. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of "intimate partner homicides" reported in the city increased by 29.2 percent.
Additionally, the number of intimate partner homicides involving a knife doubled in the same time period.
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