New Legislation Takes Effect
On Monday, July 1, Tennessee enacted a groundbreaking law mandating GPS monitoring for the most violent domestic offenders. This unprecedented legislation, the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act, signifies a pivotal step in combating domestic violence.
Tragic inspiration behind the law
The act is named in memory of Debbie Sisco and her daughter Marie Varsos, who were tragically murdered on April 12, 2021, outside Nashville by Marie’s estranged husband, Shaun Varsos. Varsos, armed with guns, zip ties, and battery acid, broke into Sisco’s home to commit the heinous act. Remarkably, just a month prior, Varsos had been released on bail after strangling his wife and threatening her with a firearm.
While Tennessee judges have the authority to mandate GPS monitoring as a bail condition, it is frequently underutilized. According to CBS News, the inconsistent enforcement of this measure has drawn criticism from advocates. Alex Youn, the son of Debbie and brother of Marie, expressed his anguish, stating, “Two people that I love dearly were just quickly ripped out of my life.” He believes that mandated GPS tracking could have prevented the tragedy, saying, “If a GPS tracking device had been mandated as part of Varsos’s bail conditions, my mother and sister might still be alive.”
Driven by his grief, Youn campaigned tirelessly for the mandatory GPS tracking of aggravated assault offenders in domestic violence cases. His relentless advocacy culminated in the passage of the new law.
The broader impact of domestic violence
Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four women and one in seven men experience domestic violence. Jennifer Waindle, deputy director of the non-profit Battered Women’s Justice Project, underscored the significance of GPS monitoring in these cases. “When there’s firearms at play, when there’s strangulation, when there’s elevated stalking, [offenders] are more likely to do it again,” she emphasized.
How GPS monitoring works
The GPS technology integrated into this legislation provides victims with real-time alerts through a phone app or electronic device if an offender violates an order of protection. This includes moving too close to the victim or breaching designated exclusion zones. These alerts, which can be sent via text, email, and calls to law enforcement, grant victims crucial time to seek safety.
The implementation of the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act marks a significant advance in protecting victims of domestic violence. By mandating GPS monitoring for the most violent offenders, Tennessee is setting a precedent that could inspire similar measures across the nation.