JLUSA leaders in Georgia advocating for justice for women who have been victims of abuse

“A new bill making its way through Georgia’s legislature aims to give survivors of domestic violence a fair shot in the courtroom and even offer a path to freedom for those already incarcerated. The Georgia Survivor Justice Act, or House Bill 582, seeks to change how the criminal justice system treats women who have been victims of abuse.

“Advocates for the bill say it could be a game-changer for women who commit crimes out of survival instincts after enduring years of domestic violence. The legislation allows these women to present evidence of their abuse during sentencing, helping judges consider their trauma when determining punishment.

“Robyn Hasan-Simpson [Leading with Conviction™ 2022], a survivor and Executive Director of Women on the Rise, has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for victims to navigate the justice system. After serving 10 years in prison for crimes committed while under the coercion of her abusive ex-husband, she’s now dedicated her life to supporting other survivors and advocating for changes to the system.

“‘For a lot of us, this bill is a lifeline,’ Hasan-Simpson says. ‘We need to understand that women in domestic violence situations don’t have a choice. This isn’t about making excuses; it’s about survival.’

“She recalls how, before she became a survivor herself, she thought it was simple to just leave an abusive situation. But she’s since learned it’s far more complicated.

“‘Before I became a survivor, I thought, why don’t you just leave? It’s not that simple,” she says. “It’s about survival. And this bill finally acknowledges that.’

“Hasan-Simpson and other advocates say House Bill 582 is an important step in recognizing the role abuse plays in some criminal acts. The bill would not only allow survivors to present police reports, medical records, and testimony about their abuse, but it could also lead to significant reductions in sentencing for those whose actions were a direct result of their trauma. This could sometimes mean reducing life sentences to as little as one year.

“Dominique Grant [Leading with Conviction™ 2024], Campaign and Operations Manager for Women on the Rise, explains that women are often treated differently in the courtroom. She says the system has a tendency to blame women for fighting back, while the same actions by men are usually seen as justified.

“‘We are treated differently when we have to deal with the criminal justice system,’ Grant says. ‘We’re told we are wrong for defending ourselves or protecting ourselves. When men do it, they’re told they did what they had to do, but when women do it, the response is always, ‘Why didn’t you just leave?’ …

“Currently, women like Grant and Hasan-Simpson, who defend themselves from their abusers, are often convicted of serious crimes. For those already in prison, HB 582 would allow for resentencing if they can prove that domestic violence played a role in their crime. In Georgia alone, more than half of women serving life sentences are victims of abuse.”

Read the full story at 11alive.com.