Mayor Lurie, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani Announce State Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Survivors of Domestic Violence

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced a statewide legislative effort in partnership with Assemblymember Catherine Stefani to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence by allowing prosecutors to charge felony violations of protective orders in high-risk cases.  

Throughout his first eleven months in office, Mayor Lurie has taken steps to improve public safety for all San Franciscans. This summer, the mayor awarded nearly $30 million in funding for two transitional housing projects that will provide urgently needed housing and services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Crime is down nearly 30% citywide in San Francisco, with crime down nearly 40% in Union Square and the Financial District.  

“As mayor, public safety is my top priority. Every person deserves an environment where they can breathe without fear and where their children can grow without harm,” said Mayor Lurie. “Along with Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, we are taking another step toward protecting victims of domestic violence. This bill adds accountability for the most serious cases of domestic violence, strengthening our support for domestic violence survivors.” 

“Survivors do everything they are told to do. They seek help. They go to court. They secure a protective order. When an abuser violates that order and nothing happens, the system has abandoned them,” said Assemblymember Stefani. “This legislation changes that. If a survivor is in danger, prosecutors must have the authority to step in before violence escalates.” 

The proposal responds to a clear pattern documented by the Mayor’s Office for Victims’ Rights. Survivors across San Francisco report repeated violations of restraining and protective orders, yet enforcement varies widely, with many violations resulting in little or no consequence in part because current law only allows violations to be charged as misdemeanors. With an overstretched criminal justice system, these cases can fall to the bottom of the priority list. 

Protective orders are among the most important tools for preventing domestic violence homicides. When a survivor takes the difficult step of securing a court order and an abuser violates it, that violation is a clear warning sign. Advocates and service providers agree that consistent enforcement saves lives. When a survivor obtains a protective order, failure to quickly and consistently enforce against violations can increase the potential risk of harm to the survivor. When the system fails to respond, the consequences can be deadly.  

The legislation gives prosecutors discretion to file felony charges when the facts of a case show a significant risk to a survivor. It does not require harsher penalties in every situation. Instead, it ensures that the law reflects the seriousness of repeated or threatening violations. The proposal is already receiving broad support from organizations and advocates who work every day to protect survivors and strengthen public safety.  

“Survivors of sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse, and domestic violence demonstrate remarkable courage in seeking protective orders, yet research shows that up to 44% of these orders are violated—often because our system lacks robust enforcement mechanisms resulting in underreporting and a lack of faith that our system is effective at protecting survivors,” said Ivy Lee, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Victims’ Rights. “This legislation is a strong step in needed system change to ensure that when survivors seek help, they are met with meaningful protection, and we commend the leaders driving this critical reform.” 

“Protective orders are intended to be a vital safeguard for women facing escalating abuse. When those orders are repeatedly violated without meaningful consequences, it sends a dangerous message to those who cause harm that survivors’ safety is optional,” said Dr. Paméla Michelle Tate, Executive Director of Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence. “This proposed legislation is a critical step toward accountability for those who cause harm. Survivors deserve to feel protected, supported, and empowered to reclaim lives free from fear and violence.” 

Assemblymember Stefani will introduce the bill at the start of the upcoming legislative session. The bill will be sponsored by Mayor Lurie.