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Public Policy

We change laws. We change lives. MOCADSV successfully advocates to pass laws and improve policies to address rape and abuse in Missouri. We secure statewide funding for programs that help victims of rape and abuse.

Public policy

Missouri Capitol building lit up purpleFor more than 40 years, MOCADSV has worked with lawmakers at the federal and state level to develop public policies necessary to protect the health and safety of victims of domestic and sexual violence. Our public policy work has been—and will always be—focused on the needs of survivors and supporting the service providers that assist them.

MOCADSV’s dedicated public policy staff is a fixture at the state Capitol, where we advocate for funding, enhanced protections for survivors, and increased accountability for perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. During four decades, MOCADSV has taken the lead in pushing for lasting change, including: making marital rape a crime; establishing Orders of Protection; legal protections for survivors; enhanced confidentiality for domestic and sexual violence survivors; and ensuring the state pays for sexual assault forensic exams, not the victim. Practically every law that affects sexual assault survivors has been crafted with the assistance of MOCADSV and its members.

We represent the voices of Missouri’s survivors. We ensure their stories are heard, and that government responds appropriately to one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time—domestic and sexual violence against women, men, and children.

Whether it’s through testifying at public hearings or one-on-one meetings with lawmakers, we’ve established a track record of legislative successes. This advocacy work has made MOCADSV the go-to organization on any public policy issue related to domestic violence or sexual assault.

MOCADSV will continue to advocate for the needs of survivors and the more than 100 member programs that serve and assist them. We change laws. We change lives.

Public policy publications
2023 Missouri Legislative Updates
2023 End-of-Session Report

General Session Information In the last 30 years, the fewest number of bills to clear the General Assembly was 31 during the pandemic-shortened session of 2020. At 43, this session marks the second lowest number of bills to make it to the Governor’s desk. The total number of bills, concurrent resolutions, and joint resolutions proposed this session were 2,267.  Of...

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2024 Missouri Legislative Updates
2024 Legislative Updates for the First Half of the Legislative Session

The Missouri legislative session began January 3, 2024. MOCADSV spent the majority of December and January reviewing the more than 1,000 bills proposed by the legislature and narrowing down the priorities of what the Coalition supports, opposes, and monitors. Below is a list of our priority bills as of March 1 when bills can no longer be filed. Governor Parson...

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Membership publicly demonstrates your commitment to a violence-free Missouri and connects you with others who share those same values. You don’t have to confront, manage or struggle with domestic and sexual violence alone. Join MOCADSV today and be a part of making Missouri a safer place to live.

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MOCADSV provides a constructive entry point to information and resources in Missouri for people dealing with domestic and sexual violence, and those who could positively affect it with a greater understanding of the issue. By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.