New Domestic Violence Protections in 2025: What You Should Know
- carrionmaria619
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
Introduction
Domestic violence continues to impact millions of lives each year, but in 2025, new legislation was introduced and enacted to provide stronger protections for survivors. These laws not only raise awareness but also give survivors better legal tools, support, and safety measures. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most important domestic violence laws and proposals of 2025, along with resources to contact your representatives.
Federal and State Legislation in 2025
1. Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025 (S.2196)
Status: Introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Amy Klobuchar in June 2025 (pending in committee).
Description: This bill was designed to expand legal protections for survivors of domestic violence and stalking. While the full details are still being developed, the focus is on improving how courts handle cases, ensuring survivors’ safety, and closing gaps in current law that leave many vulnerable.
Why it matters: Survivors of stalking and domestic violence often face ongoing threats even after leaving their abuser. This bill acknowledges that reality and pushes for stronger safeguards at the federal level.
2. Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (H.R. 30)
Status: Introduced in the House of Representatives in January 2025.
Description: This bill expands the list of crimes that can make non-U.S. nationals inadmissible or deportable if convicted of domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or sexual offenses. It includes not only physical or sexual abuse but also patterns of coercive behavior within intimate or family relationships.
Why it matters: While focused on immigration consequences, this bill shows Congress is acknowledging that domestic violence takes many forms beyond physical harm, such as emotional control and coercion.
3. Karina’s Law (Illinois)
Status: Signed into law in February 2025 by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Description: This law is named after Karina Gonzalez, who was tragically killed along with her daughter by her husband after she filed an order of protection against him. At the time, law enforcement did not confiscate his firearms despite his revoked Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card.
What the law does:
Requires police to confiscate firearms from individuals under domestic violence protection orders whose FOID card has been revoked.
Makes law enforcement accountable for enforcing protective orders.
Why it matters: Karina’s Law closes a dangerous loophole that allowed abusers with revoked gun licenses to keep their firearms, putting survivors’ lives at greater risk.
4. Georgia House Bill 582 (State Reform)
Status: Moving through Georgia’s state legislature in 2025.
Description: This bill seeks to allow courts to consider evidence of domestic abuse when sentencing individuals who commit crimes related to their abuse. For example, if a woman defends herself against an abuser, the court could weigh the abuse as part of her case.
Why it matters: Survivors often face prison time without courts fully acknowledging the abuse that influenced their actions. This bill represents a more compassionate approach that recognizes the role of trauma in criminal behavior.
5. The TAKE IT DOWN Act (S.146)
Status: Signed into law in May 2025.
Description: While broader in scope, this act directly supports survivors of domestic violence whose abusers share or threaten to share intimate images online (sometimes called “revenge porn” or using AI-generated deepfakes).
Requires online platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images or videos quickly.
Holds platforms legally accountable if they fail to take action.
Why it matters: Abusers often use online humiliation as another form of control. This law gives survivors a pathway to have harmful content removed and protects them from further exploitation.
6. Existing Federal Protections: Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Status: Reauthorized in 2022, still active in 2025.
Description: VAWA provides a broad framework of support for survivors, including:
Housing protections for survivors in federally subsidized housing.
Grant funding for shelters and local organizations.
Federal penalties for crossing state lines to commit abuse or violate protective orders.
Access to restitution for victims covering medical, mental health, or lost income costs.
Why it matters: VAWA remains the cornerstone of federal domestic violence protections, supporting countless survivors through shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy.
Why These Laws Are Important
They close legal loopholes that put survivors at risk.
They recognize abuse beyond physical harm — including stalking, coercion, and digital abuse.
They give survivors stronger rights and safer options to protect themselves and their families.
How You Can Take Action
If you want to see stronger protections or support these bills, here’s how:
Contact your Senators & Representatives:
Learn more about state laws: Each state has unique protections, and your local domestic violence coalition can guide you.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org | 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Conclusion
Domestic violence laws are evolving, but 2025 has already brought important steps forward — from closing dangerous firearm loopholes to tackling online abuse and strengthening protections in both federal and state systems. Survivors deserve safety, justice, and dignity, and these laws are a step in the right direction.
Prepared by Maria Carrion Authors Services, LLC — Empowering survivors through education, awareness, and advocacy.
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