March 15, 2011 - 5:44pm
Domestic violence is a very serious problem in Maine and around the country. "Sixty percent of all homicide deaths in Maine are the result of domestic violence, and the Maine CDC has declared domestic violence a public health emergency," said State Rep. Kim Rosen, R-Bucksport in support of LD 495.
The national ACLU even wrote a blog post today reframing domestic violence as a human rights concern – a problem that needs to be addressed by society as a whole.
In Maine, we’re working towards safer communities without giving up freedoms. The government shouldn’t be able to track people who have been accused of a crime, but not yet found guilty. "While the challenges and dangers faced by domestic violence victims are serious and should be addressed, we must continue to be vigilant about protecting the civil liberties of those who would be impacted by this bill, especially those who would be subjected to electronic tracking after being merely accused of committing a crime," explains ACLU of MAINE Public Policy Counsel Alysia Melnick.
