You Have the Power calls on all its supporters to contact members of the Tennessee House Judiciary Committee by Tuesday, June 2, at 5 PM, when the Committee will vote on critical legislation related to advocate-victim confidentiality.
Confidentiality is a core element of effective domestic and sexual violence advocacy. Protecting communications between a victim and an advocate encourages victims to reach out for the help they need.
But Tennessee does not currently have any legislation protecting communication between an advocate and victim in court proceedings. YHTP staff members and other victim advocates can be forced to testify in courts or before General Assembly committees about specific assistance they provided to victims. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or sex trafficking may be less likely to talk to us about what they experienced and what they need from us if it might end up public record.
SB2742 / HB 2171 would prohibit advocates from being examined in any judicial, legislative, or administrative proceeding regarding any communications they have with people they help (unless it involves a disclosure about child or elder abuse). The Senate version has already passed, but the House version is stuck in the Judiciary Committee. The meeting on Tuesday night could make or break this bill.
If your legislator’s name and phone number are on this list, it means they’re on the Committee and they haven’t publicly committed to any stance on the bill. We encourage you to call them before Tuesday at 5 PM to tell your legislators how this bill protects victims of violent crime and helps advocates provide them with resources and safety. You’re welcome to share your any personal stories if you are comfortable doing so.
Rep. Bill Beck (D, Davidson): 615-741-3229
Rep. Karen Camper (D, Shelby): 615-741-1898
Rep. Martin Daniel (R, Knox): 615-741-2287
Rep. Rick Eldridge (R, Hamblen): 615-741-6877
Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D, Shelby): 615-741-5625
Rep. Dan Howell (R, Bradley/Meigs/Polk): 615-741-7799
Rep. Bud Hulsey (R, Sullivan): 615-741-2886
Rep. Curtis Johnson (R, Montgomery): 615-741-4341
Rep. Jason Potts (D, Davidson): 615-741-2035
Rep. Iris Rudder (R, Franklin/Marion/Moore): 615-741-8695
Rep. Paul Sherrell (R, Grundy/Warren/White): 615-741-1963
Rep. Joe Towns (D, Shelby): 615-741-2189
Organizational supporters of SB 2742 / HB 2171 include the Sexual Assault Center, the Metro Nashville-Davidson Family Safety Center, the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga, You Have the Power, the Nashville Council of Jewish Women, the Nashville chapter of Hadassah, and the YWCAs of both Knoxville/Tennessee Valley and Nashville/Middle Tennessee.