As a mother who lost my daughter Emily to domestic violence, I know all too well the pain and frustration that comes when our legal system doesn’t deliver the justice that victims and their families deserve. That is why I am writing to express my strong support for State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan and his tireless advocacy for victims of domestic violence and their families. For years, many of us have seen perpetrators of these horrific crimes receive reduced sentences, often through plea bargains that leave families like mine feeling abandoned by the very system meant to protect us. Raghib has bravely stood up and called attention to these injustices. This year, he spoke before the Connecticut Sentencing Commission to advocate for the creation of a subcommittee to study sentencing and outcomes for domestic and family violence murders. With 336 incidents of intimate partner and family violence murders in Connecticut since 2000, and 87% of these victims being women, we need leaders like Raghib who are willing to confront this crisis head-on. He understands that far too often, sentences are reduced, and plea deals dominate the outcomes of these cases, leaving families without a true sense of justice. His push to examine how our system handles these cases—including factors like prior protective orders, race and gender, and the prosecution process—will help ensure that the voices of victims and their families are heard. Raghib’s commitment to finding real solutions gives me hope that future families won’t have to endure the same heartbreak I have. His advocacy for justice and safety isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the lives of real people, like my daughter Emily. I urge my fellow Bethel and Danbury residents to support Raghib Allie-Brennan and his efforts to bring about meaningful change in our state.
Sincerely,
Jenn Lawlor
Bethel, CT
