MPs Mo House unanimously pass a draft law to allow divorces for pregnant women

Kansas City, Mo. – The house in Missouri unanimously adopted a draft law that would allow pregnant women to achieve divorces. At the moment, pregnant women can submit for divorce, but they cannot complete them because of a decades -old law.

Lawyers of victims of domestic violence claim that for those in abusive relationships, this can force them to be blocked with their abusers and create safety problems.

The law was adopted in 1973 to ensure that the biological father will be financially responsible for the child. But Courtney Thomas, the president and local CEO of the Newhouse domestic violence Shelter, says he had adverse effects.

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“It is clearly an archaic law that does not empower women to do what they have to do to take care of them, their bodies, their children,” said Thomas. “Keep people in dangerous and unsafe situations. And we know that the stress that a mother feels while being pregnant, can affect the long -term health of that child. “

Thomas says there were 23 homicides in Kansas City since January 1, and seven of these deaths were related to domestic violence. On average, a survivor is needed seven attempts to leave before running out of abusers.

“Sexual abuse, reproductive constraint is such a real thing to keep control over their victims. If I can keep them pregnant, then they have to rely on me because I can’t do it on my own, ”said Thomas.

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Newhouse has increased growth and volume of calls on their shipment from the Covid-19 Pandemia. Their 92 beds are always full and are quickly completed when a customer moves.

Only in 2023, 10,000 survivors were served through Newhouse, but only ten percent of them actually housed for safe housing. An additional 20,000 help requests were not served due to lack of resources and beds.

“We say that prevention of violence is important in our community and we need our actions to support our words,” said Thomas.

MPs of the Missouri Chamber have heard their cries and unanimously approved a draft law last month that would prevent the judge from using the pregnant status as a reason to not complete a divorce.

The site of the Missouri Representatives Chamber

Thomas says it’s a step in the right direction, but more has to be done.

“Missouri is in the first ten more deadly states for women to be killed by their abusers,” Thomas said. “We can do better, we have to do better. Women are worth better. Their children deserve better. “

The draft law 243 of the Chamber was sent to the families of the Senate, seniors and the Health Committee. Humaira Mirza, the legal head of Newhouse, hopes that the Senate will transmit the draft law and head to the governor’s office for the final approval.

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“It is the most difficult part of the job to see them return. You really want to get them out of this situation, ”said Mirza.

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KSHB 41 Ancor/Reporter Juyeon Kim covers agricultural problems and fentanel crisis. Share the idea of ​​story with Juyeon.