Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. (CONNSACS) is a statewide coalition of individual sexual       assault crisis programs, which work to end sexual violence through victim assistance, community education,     and public policy advocacy.     CONNSACS' mission is to end sexual violence and ensure high quality, comprehensive, and culturally     competent sexual assault victim services.     CONNSACS offers... Participation in collaborative efforts to promote social change with national, state and local organizations. Procurement and distribution of funds to develop and support its member organizations. A forum for the exchange of skills and information regarding the response to, and prevention of sexual assault A mechanism for the development and maintenance of appropriate standards of services for rape crisis centers.

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             After several years of advocacy, lawmakers have passed a bill that closes the gap in access to protective

             orders for sexual assault victims.

             Under the current system, sexual assault victims who do not have a relationship with the offender are not

             permitted to obtain a protective order.

             While a sexual assault victim may be able to obtain a no contact order through the court, these orders are

             not filed with the registry. As a result, if there is a violation of the order, the police have no way to verify it,

             and the victim must wait until the next available court date to address the violation.

             Victims are often afraid of their offender and fear being harassed or assaulted again. Waiting for a hearing

             following a violation of a no contact order is frustrating at least and terrifying at worst. Hearings may take

             several days to schedule because the offender and his or her attorney must be present and the date must

             be approved by the court.

             The consequences for the offender who violates a protective order are stronger than a no contact order.

             With a protective order, the offender can be charged, the order is filed with the registry, and the police are

             on notice. The offender faces additional charges if he or she violates the protective order.

             The new law, PA 08-84, goes into effect on October 1, 2008.