Assembly bill seeks to protect cyber harassment victims

Under New Jersey's current cyber harassment law, victims are not allowed to obtain restraining orders against their tormenters because the law does not apply to the state's domestic violence statutes. But state lawmakers are working to change that.

A bill approved Dec. 11 by the Assembly Women and Children Committee would address what one sponsor called, "that loophole."

"It is a loophole and this bill would close that and allow cyber harassment as a basis for issuing a restraining order," said Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge). "We're all very familiar with the notion of being harassed on the Internet or any of the social media ways that people can do that to others and we need to protect victims."

The legislation would permit temporary and permanent restraining orders under the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991" if the person requesting the order is a victim of cyber harassment.

"Using email, Facebook, or any other Internet site as an access point has become a tool for perpetrators. Adding this method to the list is necessary and will strengthen protection for domestic violence victims," said bill co-sponsor Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt (D-Voorhees) in an emailed press release on Dec. 11.

Under current New Jersey law, there are 14 offenses that constitute domestic violence. If this bill becomes law, cyber harassment would become the 15th offense under the law.