U.S. Senator Mike Lee has backed Congressman Abe Hamadeh’s bill dubbed “Kayleigh’s Law” by introducing it in the Senate this week. The bicameral bill aims to protect victims from any further unwanted contact with their abuser.
Named for Kayleigh Kozak, of Arizona, who testified against her soccer coach for sexually abusing her as a sixth grader, the bill will require courts to issue permanent no-contact orders at the request of victims who have suffered violence or sexual abuse.
Hamadeh, a former prosecutor in Arizona, introduced the bill in April of this year during Sexual Assault Awareness Month with the goal of eliminating the “legal tug-of-war” where survivors must repeatedly face their attackers in court to maintain basic safety protections.
Having passed at the state level in both Arizona and Wisconsin, this legislation prohibits all forms of direct or indirect contact with the victim for the rest of the guilty predator’s life. The prohibition will remain in effect even after prison, probation, or supervised release ends.
“As a former prosecutor, I know how vulnerable victims can be, how determined their predators often are, and how judges can frequently fail victims of crime. That is why we must require federal courts to impose these lifetime injunctions when requested by the government or the victim during sentencing,” stated Congressman Hamadeh in April. “I have seen what victims go through as the predator’s adjudication process plays out and know how important it is for the victim’s healing process to begin. That process cannot be interrupted by their predators simply because our courts fail to take crime seriously and fail to impose lifetime injunctions.”
“Victims of sexual crimes often have to face their abusers in court over and over again, and even hear from these monsters outside of the courtroom. They fear for their safety, and they deserve better protection,” said Lee. “Kayleigh Kozak bravely faced her abusive soccer coach multiple times in court after he assaulted her in the sixth grade. Survivors like Kayleigh have suffered vile abuse and should never be dissuaded from coming forward by fear of retaliation or further contact from their attacker. I’m proud to sponsor Kayleigh’s Law to require courts to issue permanent no-contact orders on convicted defendants at victims’ request.”
“The harm caused by sexual assault is not temporary. It is lifelong,” said Kayleigh Kozak. “The protections for those who have been sexually violated should be lifelong, too.”
Kayleigh’s Law applies to defendants convicted of a crime of violence or a felony offense that includes as an element a sexual act or sexual conduct. It requires the court—on motion of the Government (with the consent of a victim) or a victim—to issue a permanent order during sentencing to prohibit the convicted defendant from contacting a victim directly or indirectly, through written, oral, electronic, digital, or physical means.
Original cosponsors of Hamadeh’s bill include Representatives Brian Babin (TX-36) , Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Troy Downing (MT-02), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Brandon Gill (TX-26), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), David Joyce (OH-14), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Barry Moore (AL-01), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chris Smith (NJ-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), David Taylor (OH-02), and Delegate Kimberly King-Hinds (MP).
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