A law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday aims to expand protections for victims of abuse and stalking by closing the so-called stranger loophole in New Jersey’s restraining order process.
Up to now, judges could only issue restraining orders against people without criminal convictions if the abuser had an existing relationship with the victim. That left victims vulnerable in situations where they were being harassed by strangers. The law also adds stalking and cyber harassment as qualifying circumstances for a restraining order to be granted.
