Calley's Law Passes, Alters Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
California Governor Gavin Newsom signs Senate Bill 24, “Calley’s Law,” introduced by Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas) altering California’s Domestic Violence Restraining orders. The bill was signed in July 2021 and signals progress in protecting women and children from domestic violence. SB 24 gives Judges the option for the protection of medical, school, and dental information of a couple’s shared children. The parameters of the domestic violence protection order will be made clear for survivors of domestic violence, as well as the organizations they give copies to for compliance.
“The violent attack that resulted in the death of Calley (Trout) was tragic and could have been avoided,” Sen. Anna Caballero, told The Fresno Bee in December. “No person who has fled their abuser should be afraid or worried that a simple oversight could lead to the disclosure of their private information.”
As recently as July 2020, Calley Jean (Trout) lost her life to her abuser while protecting her children. Having mustered the strength to have her abuser charged with Domestic Violence, she was living in secrecy. While she had a domestic violence restraining order for herself, due to previous laws, the children’s medical appointments were not covered by the order. Her abuser was out on bail for the Domestic Violence charge and was aware of the medical appointment for his child. Hell-bent on vengeance, he waited for his family to leave the Dr. Appt. Ambushed while getting into the car, Calley was shot and killed while protecting her children. Calley was 32 years old and her children, all witnesses, were under 6 years of age. Police chief Dino Lawson describes it.
“This is despicable,” said Lawson. “I can’t think of anything more horrific than to do something like this – a cold-blooded act in front of the mother’s children. The mother, being a mother, sacrificed her own life, and laid across the bodies of her children to save them.”
Laws Have Changed in Response to Calley’s Death
While this news can be construed as a cautionary tale, due to the year-long work of Senator Anna M. Caballero getting Calley’s Law passed, Judges can now close children’s Medical, School, and Dental records from dangerous parents. While the law in California clearly states that persons with Domestic Violence Restraining Orders are required to turn in their firearms, it is difficult to enforce. With Calley’s law, the loophole of discovering Calley’s location is now closed, one step closer to protecting survivors.
Where to Turn for Confidential and Safe Help
YWCA-MC’s Domestic Abuse hotline is staffed 24/7 every day of the year and we continuously receive calls for help. Our Safehouse operates in secrecy in an undisclosed location. We do everything in our power to keep the anonymity of survivors. We will help protect you with everything in our power, which includes Domestic Violence restraining orders. Our legal team knows the questions to ask and will petition the judge for every measure possible to gain the most protection from your abuser. When you’ve lost trust in your partner, you can trust us.
*We chose to use Calley’s maiden name, Trout, out of respect for the family’s wishes.
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