The family of Stacy Hunter, who was murdered by her estranged husband Jim Mair last month, are advocating for stronger measures to protect victims of domestic abuse. Mair murdered Stacy at her home near Houston, his body found next to hers. This occurred three weeks after he appeared in court accused of strangling her and was subsequently released on bail.
Stacy's mother, Ann, believes the system "absolutely" failed her daughter. The family wishes there had been more measures to prevent Mair from contacting Stacy, especially given the apparent signs of abuse. They feel that intervention from authorities would have eased the pressure on Stacy to enforce a separation.
A campaign for a "Stacy's Law" has been initiated by Lynne McKenzie, a domestic abuse survivor. This petition, supported by Stacy's family, proposes that high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators or suspects released on bail should have their location monitored using GPS equipment. This could include exclusion zones around victims' homes or workplaces and alerts for police responses if conditions are breached.
Scottish ministers have previously faced criticism for the slow implementation of GPS equipment. Mike Nellis, an emeritus professor at the University of Strathclyde and an expert in electronic monitoring, stated that such a system is feasible. However, he cautioned that no system is foolproof and some women's support groups have expressed concerns that these systems might create a false sense of security.
Ann and Sean, Stacy's mother and brother, are scheduled to meet the First Minister on Thursday to discuss improved support for women in similar circumstances. Scotland's victims minister, Kirsten Oswald, stated that the government has a vital role in tackling violence against women and girls, and that bail can be electronically monitored.