Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Robert Casey (D-Penn.) and other Senate Democrats in calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take steps to make updated resources and assistance available to victims of a new form of domestic abuse where internet-connected home devices are used to harass and control victims.
“The adoption of these technological advancements shows no sign of slowing down, as these devices revolutionize a variety of everyday tasks across the United States and the world. Yet for victims of domestic abuse, the convenience offered by connected devices can become a web of manipulation and harassment,” said the senators. “To address the novel threats of harassment and manipulation posed by these devices, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should take steps to make updated resources and assistance available to victims, law enforcement, judicial personnel and other professionals who assist victims of domestic abuse. As technology advances and poses new practical and legal concerns, we must ensure that we are keeping pace to address and prevent domestic abuse, no matter what form it takes.”
The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-M.N.).
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
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