Protecting Victims From Abusers

This month, in partnership with SF Mayor Daniel Lurie, I am introducing legislation to allow prosecutors to file felony charges when abusers violate protective orders in high-risk cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

The goal is straightforward: When a survivor is in danger, the system must respond. Protecting survivors is a core public safety responsibility and our laws must reflect that truth.

Protective orders save lives. When a survivor goes to court and secures an order, they are taking a courageous and often frightening step to protect themselves and their children. A violation of that order is not a technicality. It is a sign that abuse is escalating and that immediate intervention is needed. Yet under current California law, even repeated or threatening violations are charged only as misdemeanors. In an overstretched criminal justice system, these cases are too often deprioritized, and survivors are left vulnerable to further harm.

This problem came into clear view through the work of the Mayor’s Office for Victims’ Rights, which I created through Proposition D in 2022. Its work revealed a dangerous pattern; protective orders are only as strong as the system that backs them. This kind of insight is exactly why an independent office focused on victims’ rights and enforcement is essential.

The consequences of this gap in enforcement are real and deeply concerning. Research shows that up to 44% of these orders are violated, often with little or no response. When the system fails to act, the risk of serious harm increases. Advocates and service providers who work closely with survivors are clear that failure to enforce protective orders can have deadly consequences.

When a court issues a protective order, it represents a promise that the law will step in to prevent further harm. When that order is violated and there is no meaningful response, that promise is broken. My legislation is designed to change that reality. If the facts of a case show that a survivor faces a significant risk, prosecutors must have the authority to intervene before violence escalates.

This proposal gives prosecutors the discretion to file felony charges involving violations of protective orders in high-risk cases. To be clear, the bill does not mandate harsher penalties in every situation. Rather, it ensures that the law reflects the seriousness of repeated or threatening violations and allows responses to be tailored to the level of danger involved. Not all violations are the same, and our laws should recognize when stronger intervention is necessary to protect lives.

Protective orders are not symbolic gestures. They are lifesaving tools and they must be treated as such. When violations carry no real consequences, it sends a dangerous message that a survivor’s safety is optional. California must send a different message, one that makes clear these orders will be enforced and that escalating behavior will be taken seriously.

I am committed to advancing this legislation in partnership with Mayor Lurie and ensuring its passage during this year’s legislative session. I encourage you to follow along and stay engaged as the bill moves through the Legislature. Together, we can strengthen protections for survivors and ensure our laws live up to the promises they carry.

Assemblymember Catherine Stefani represents California’s 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. She can be reached at 415-557-2312 or Assemblymember.Stefani@assembly.ca.gov.