After a year of investigating the holes in Tennessee’s system, WPLN News has compiled a guide on what options for protection are available under state law.
Domestic violence survivors in Tennessee will now be able to track their abuser’s movements ahead of their trial
People arrested for aggravated domestic violence in Tennessee will now have to wear a GPS monitoring device until their court date. The victim would be provided with a device that would notify them if their abuser is within a certain distance.
Nashville’s Family Safety Center marks five years of working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence
About 200 people gathered at Nashville’s Family Safety Center to observe its fifth anniversary working with victims of domestic and sexual violence, child and elder abuse, and human trafficking. Since opening in 2019, they’ve received over 55,000 in-person and remote visits from survivors.
Domestic violence survivors could track their abuser’s movements before trial, under new Tennessee bill
The Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act would require offenders arrested for aggravated domestic violence to wear a GPS monitoring device until their court date. The victim would be provided with a device that would notify them if their abuser is within a certain distance.
Tennessee Democrats file legislation to close the loophole that allows prohibited people from accessing guns
Ahead of the specially called session on public safety, Democrats have introduced several gun reform measures. One of them would close a dangerous loophole that allows people to turn over their guns to a friend or a relative.
Domestic violence in Middle Tennessee: reactions and resources
This episode first aired on April 11, 2022. In 2021, Nashville resident Marie Varsos tried to get protection from her husband after he strangled and threatened to kill her. She did everything she was supposed to do. She had resources and support. But Shaun Varsos killed her and her mother. In recent years, the city […]
Longtime Tennessee domestic violence leader is out following critical federal investigation
One of Tennessee’s leading domestic violence prevention nonprofits will transition to a new leader.
Investigation finds Tennessee domestic violence nonprofit retaliated against whistleblower employee
An employee flagged concerns about how crisis calls were handled at the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Reactions and resources: domestic violence in Middle Tennessee
In April 2021, Nashville resident Marie Varsos tried to get protection from her husband after he strangled and threatened to kill her. She did everything she was supposed to do, but Sean Varsos murdered her and her mother. In recent years, the city of Nashville has made strides in improving the systems to address domestic violence, but the Varsos case demonstrates that those systems are not infallible.
His mother and sister were murdered. He’s focused his grief on exposing loopholes that endanger domestic violence victims.
Alex Youn has spent the year since his mother and sister’s deaths trying to figure out what went wrong in their case. He discovered loopholes in the criminal justice system, and turned those loopholes into law to protect future domestic violence victims.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM