Governor Murphy signs new law expanding restraining orders for abuse victims

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law Monday that closes the “stranger loophole” for people seeking restraining orders against their abusers.

Previously, judges could issue these orders without a criminal conviction only in domestic violence cases or in stalking cases involving minors or adults with a mental disability.

The new law expands protections to abuse victims who have no relationship with their abuser and adds stalking and cyber harassment to the list of prohibited acts that qualify a victim to receive a stay-away order.

It also renames the Sexual Assault Survivors Protection Act, which lawmakers passed in 2015, as the Victim’s Assistance and Survivor Protection Act to protect all victims of abusive behavior.

Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union) was a prime sponsor of the bill.

“Gov. Murphy just signed a life-saving bill that will increase protections for victims of stalking who do not have a prior relationship with the defendant,” Bramnick said. “In too many instances, the police have been unable to do anything when extremely dangerous or threatening behavior is reported. This new law will make it easier for more victims to get protective restraining orders before frightening conduct escalates to actual harm.”