NCVLI Joins Utah Partners in Fighting for Stalking Victims’ Right to Protection

NCVLI was privileged to join our partner clinic, the Utah Crime Victims Law Clinic, and the Utah Domestic Violence Counsel as amici curiae in the case of State v. Marco Hermilio Diaz, Jr., proceeding in the Utah Court of Appeals.  Noting that stalking is a crime that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, we argued that the serious psychological, relational, and physical harm suffered by stalking victims mandate that courts interpret protective statutes in the way most likely to afford real protection to victims.  We further argued that because victims have the right to be treated fairly, the protection afforded by stalking protection orders should not be contingent upon the victim’s demographics – whether those are marital status, shared children with the offender, or profession.  Instead, all victims deserve to have the laws interpreted in a way to afford the greatest protections. 

Violence against women occurs at epidemic rates in this country and we need your help to ensure that all victims of stalking, domestic violence, and sexual assault have their rights protected.  Click here to learn more about NCVLI’s work addressing these issues under our Responding to Violence Against Women Project.  Please consider giving today to help us continue to provide the necessary legal advocacy to protect victims of such crimes.  Click here to donate.