Javerbaum Wurgaft Shareholder Rubin M. Sinins and Associate Elissa W. LeVine recently published an article entitled, ‘New Jersey Finally Closes Its Domestic Violence ‘Stranger’ Loophole,’ in the New Jersey Law Journal.
The article discusses New Jersey’s enactment of the Victim’s Assistance and Survivor Protection Act (VASPA), effective January 1, 2024. This law closes the “stranger loophole” in domestic violence legislation, extending protections to all victims of stalking and cyber harassment, irrespective of their relationship with the perpetrator, broadening the scope of legal safeguards.
Prior to VASPA, legal protections under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act were only available to those who had a specific type of relationship with their abuser, such as spouses or those in a dating relationship.