SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Senator Susan Rubio (D–Baldwin Park) a survivor of domestic violence who has personally obtained three restraining orders for her own safety, introduced SB 1192—the Reclaim Act, legislation designed to protect domestic violence survivors from continued abuse through the misuse of the court system.

For many survivors, abuse does not end when they leave an abusive relationship. Instead, it continues through coercive control and litigation abuse, as abusers file repeated, frivolous lawsuits and discovery requests to harass, intimidate, and maintain power over their victims. These tactics often deter survivors from seeking protection and force them to relive trauma in the very courts meant to keep them safe.

“As a survivor, I know firsthand that leaving an abuser does not always mean the abuse ends,” Senator Rubio said. “Too many survivors are retraumatized when the court system is used as a weapon against them. The Reclaim Act is about restoring dignity, safety, and freedom — and making sure the justice system protects survivors, not their abusers.”

Since taking office, Senator Rubio has heard from hundreds of survivors across California, the nation, and internationally, all describing similar experiences of continued harassment and control through the courts. 

The Reclaim Act builds on California’s recognition of coercive control as domestic violence by closing legal loopholes that allow abusers to exploit civil and family court processes. 

Survivor advocates and legal experts strongly support the legislation.

“The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence is proud to sponsor the Reclaim Act, authored by Senator Susan Rubio,” said Chris Negri, Associate Director of Policy at the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. “This bill aims to address the pervasive problem of litigation abuse that too many survivors of domestic violence experience, and will make it easier for survivors to request that courts stop abusive partners from being able to file further lawsuits if they sue survivors repeatedly. This bill is common-sense and timely — rooted in the idea that the justice system should never be weaponized to harm those it is intended to help.”

The Family Violence Appellate Project, which works with survivors navigating complex and prolonged legal abuse, emphasized the real-world impact of the bill. “Family Violence Appellate Project is proud and pleased to co-sponsor Senator Susan Rubio’s Reclaim Act,” said Cory Hernandez, Senior Managing Attorney at the Family Violence Appellate Project. “FVAP has seen and heard from survivors and advocates how often litigation abuse negatively impacts survivors and deters them from using the courts for help-seeking — including appellate courts.”

Hernandez added, “All too often, even after an abusive relationship ends, the abuse continues, including through the use of the courts. Survivors deserve safety and protection, including in the very courts where they often must go to get that protection. This bill is reasonable and necessary.”

The Reclaim Act reflects Senator Rubio’s continued leadership in advancing survivor-centered policy grounded in lived experience — ensuring that courts serve as places of protection, not continued harm.

“Survivors should never have to choose between their safety and their right to justice,” Rubio said. “The Reclaim Act makes clear: our courts are not tools for abuse.”

Senator Rubio is available for interviews in English or Spanish. To schedule an interview, please contact Giovanni Ruiz at Giovanni.RuizReyes@sen.ca.gov.

For more information, visit the website of Senator Susan Rubio at senate.ca.gov/rubio

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