EVERETT — The Everett City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to add additional criminal penalties against people who commit domestic violence in the presence of children.
The new law criminalizes the act of exposing a child to domestic violence, adding an additional penalty on top of existing state laws that outlaw domestic violence. Individuals would be arrested under the new law if they are charged with committing an act of domestic violence and it was done in the presence of, or witnessed by, someone under 18.
Research has linked witnessing domestic abuse as a child to long-term health complications, both behavioral and physical. Between three and ten million children witness violence between their caregivers or parents each year, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“That just highlights how important it is to protect the children of the city from even just witnessing domestic violence in their home,”said Grace Sinclair, a prosecutor for the city of Everett, at an Oct. 28 council meeting.
Other cities in Washington, including Marysville, Snoqualmie, Lake City and Auburn, have implemented similar laws, according to a city memo.
A person convicted of violating the new law will serve at least 15 days in confinement in addition to the sentence imposed for committing domestic violence, according to the ordinance. The ordinance gives leeway to allow the court or city prosecutor to impose lighter sentences depending on certain circumstances.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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