BY: Senator Tanya Storer’s weekly column

With the next legislative session rapidly approaching, we have been tirelessly working on the agenda for 2026 and my focus includes continued work to keep our communities safe for families and protect individual rights, foundational to our constitutional freedoms.

Over the past year, Nebraska has witnessed a deeply troubling rise in domestic violence. This is not a series of isolated incidents, but an ongoing crisis that demands a response. The statistics are stark and heartbreaking: from 14 domestic abuse-related deaths in late 2022, the number tragically climbed to 30 in 2023, followed by 13 in 2024, and another 15 in the first seven months of 2025. These lives were lost, in part, because our justice system has a critical gap.

While penalties for general assaults have been strengthened in the last few years, the penalties tied specifically to domestic violence have not kept pace. This disparity in penalties opens the door to allow repeat abusers to continue harming their victims, often leading to murder-suicides and senseless tragedies. My commitment for the upcoming session is clear:

- Advancing Key Legislation carried over from last year, including LB669, which addresses informed consent to help identify domestic violence and human trafficking, providing victims with what may be their only chance to get help.

- Strengthening Protections through new legislation aimed at closing the justice system gap by specifically increasing penalties for domestic violence offenses and providing prosecutors and law enforcement with the essential tools they need to intervene effectively.

The 2025 Domestic Abuse Death Review Team (DADRT) Annual Report highlights the clear warning signs we cannot ignore: a history of abuse, criminal records and threats were common risk factors. We owe it to every Nebraskan at risk to ensure that the laws and systems designed to protect them are both effective and rigorously enforced. We cannot wait for the next tragedy. It is our responsibility, my responsibility, and the Legislature's to make these changes now.

As we enter the 2026 session, I will continue to advocate tirelessly for legislative measures that strengthen protections, improve coordination, and deliver the necessary tools to safeguard every life in our state. Every Nebraskan deserves to feel safe in their home and community. I look forward to working with you to achieve this goal.