Lawmakers Advance ‘Life Saving’ Bill Requiring Victim Notification of Perpetrator Release

Hailed as a bill that can save lives, the Homeland Security, Justice, and Public Safety Committee advanced legislation during Friday’s hearing in hopes to solve a stark reality faced by the victims of violent crimes in the U.S. Virgin Islands – being confronted by their alleged perpetrators in public.

The legislation would expand on legislation currently in place that provides victims of domestic violence notification when their alleged perpetrator has been released by requiring similar notification be given to victims of assault, battery, kidnapping, and rape.

“This whole law and this whole discussion comes out of Marsy’s Law, after Marcy Nicholas … who was stalked and murdered in 1983. One week after her death, her family ran into her accused murderer at the grocery store and had no idea he had been released on bail,” said Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, who proposed the measure.

Family Resource Center Director Anya Stuart said what occurred to Marcy Nicholas is not isolated but a perpetuating occurrence for victims residing in the territory.

“Too many times clients are perpetrated against, and their abusers are released from jail only to victimize them again because our victims of crime are not aware of the release of the perpetrator,” Stuart said. “This bill is vital because it will allow our victims sufficient notice to prepare themselves mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and physically, as well as put certain protective measures in place in order to ensure their safety.”

If armed with the knowledge that a victim’s alleged perpetrator is released, Stuart said it will allow victims to plan “instead of being in a state of shock and surprise in finding out after the fact that their abuser is out of prison.”

St. Croix Women’s Coalition Director Clema Lewis said though the law currently requires victims of domestic violence to be notified – “It’s not happening.”

“Most of the time, the court don’t even know where to find the victims, and even if they did, the victim is not getting the information. Again, they are walking up on perpetrators in the street. It’s not safe,” Lewis said.