Survivors, including actress Denise Richards and Terra Newell of Dirty John, share personal experiences and expose critical gaps in the systems designed to protect victims.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2026

WEST COVINA, CA — California State Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), a domestic violence survivor and longtime advocate for victims, convened a Domestic Violence Policy Roundtable on Friday, October 23, bringing together survivors, legal experts, public safety officials, and community advocates to confront systemic failures and identify legislative solutions to better protect victims and their families.

Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the roundtable featured powerful testimony from actress and advocate Denise Richards; Terra Newell, whose family's experience inspired the Dirty John story; Karen Chun, who lost her mother and sister to domestic violence; and Jazmine Villanueva, who shared the heartbreaking story of losing her sister to domestic violence.

Their experiences highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the challenges survivors face when seeking protection, navigating the justice system, and attempting to escape dangerous situations.

"For far too many victims, the system does not respond until the violence has escalated or a life has already been lost," said Senator Rubio. "As a survivor with three restraining orders, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to seek protection and still live in fear. I have dedicated my legislative career to changing these laws because no victim should have to wait until tragedy strikes to be taken seriously. These survivors are sharing some of the most painful experiences of their lives, and it is our responsibility to listen and turn their stories into meaningful action."

The discussion also featured a panel of policy experts and advocates, including Pallavi Dhawan of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office; Carmen McDonald, Executive Director of the Survivor Justice Center; David Piller of the YWCA; Tracy Evanson, Executive Director of Healed Women Heal; and Pat Bell, Chief Executive Officer of House of Ruth. The roundtable was moderated by Giovanna Martinez of the Women's & Children's Crisis Shelter.

Throughout the discussion, participants examined gaps in law enforcement responses, barriers to obtaining and enforcing restraining orders, coercive control, and the continued use of the legal system to intimidate and harass survivors long after a relationship has ended.

Senator Rubio, who has authored more than 30 pieces of legislation addressing domestic violence, highlighted her ongoing efforts to strengthen California's protections for survivors. Her legislative accomplishments include recognizing coercive control as a form of domestic violence, extending the statute of limitations for domestic violence prosecutions from three to seven years, expanding remote access to restraining order proceedings, and addressing litigation abuse through SB 1192, the Reclaim Act, signed into law earlier this year.

The Senator also emphasized the challenges of advancing survivor-centered legislation, noting that several of her proposals required years of advocacy and negotiations before becoming law.

"Changing the law is not easy. Some of these protections have taken me three years or longer to get across the finish line," Rubio continued. "But when I hear from families who have lost their daughters, mothers, and sisters, I am reminded of why we cannot stop fighting. We cannot bring back the lives that have been lost, but we can work to prevent another family from experiencing that same heartbreak."

The roundtable comes as Senator Rubio prepares to develop additional domestic violence legislation for the upcoming legislative session. The discussion will help inform proposals aimed at strengthening prevention, improving accountability, and ensuring victims can access protection before violence escalates.

"Every survivor who spoke at this roundtable has given us a responsibility to act," Rubio added. "Their courage must lead to more than a conversation. It must lead to stronger laws, greater accountability, and a justice system that recognizes the warning signs before another life is lost."

Watch the Roundtable and View Photos

Full Roundtable Recording:
https://youtu.be/H7QaLXhzmjs

Photo Gallery:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wkchvitawmow3w5zlvke9/ADykGuKxNR-Bc5d-DBBCj0U