Michele Matsikoudis, an Assemblywoman from New Jersey, announced her new bill that would mandate police to conduct formal risk assessments during domestic violence calls to enhance victim protection and response. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
“Too many warning signs are missed in domestic violence cases, and the consequences can be tragic,” said Matsikoudis, District 21. “That’s why I’ve introduced A5740, inspired by the Gabby Petito case, to ensure that police officers conduct a formal risk assessment when responding to domestic violence calls.”
New Jersey lawmakers are progressing with Bill A5740, sponsored by Matsikoudis, which requires police to utilize standardized domestic violence risk assessments such as the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) and share the results with courts. This initiative reflects a broader effort to improve early intervention following high-profile cases and a rise in domestic violence incidents, as reported by WHYY and state legislative records.
According to WHYY, domestic violence incidents in New Jersey have increased from 61,659 in 2015 to 70,828 in 2023—a nearly 15% rise—prompting legislative calls for mandatory risk screening and enhanced law enforcement protocols in every domestic violence response.
Peer-reviewed studies cited by PubMed Central (PMC) indicate that formal risk assessment protocols like ODARA can reduce domestic violence reoffense rates by up to 25% compared to cases lacking structured tools. This supports New Jersey’s move to require such assessments for better early detection of high-risk situations.
Legislative records show that Matsikoudis is a Republican Assemblywoman representing New Jersey’s 21st District since 2024. She previously served in municipal government and now chairs the Emerging Issues Committee, where she leads efforts on victim protection, court oversight, and police response reforms like Bill A5740.
