California bill would let abuse victims use trauma as legal defense for violent crime

California bill would let abuse victims use trauma as legal defense for violent crime

Assemblymember Mia Bonta announces the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the California Department of Justice at a press event in San Francisco on Sept. 21, 2022. (Martin do Nascimento)Susan Bustamante isn’t giving up.The formerly incarcerated 71-year-old woman has repeatedly made the long trip from Orange County to Sacramento to urge lawmakers to pass legislation she believes would help her fellow domestic abuse victims f…

Bay Area Backers Go All In On Mia Bonta's Abuse Defense Bill

AB 938 would expand California's abuse-defense law, and Bay Area advocates say survivors still face an uphill climb.