This bill would prevent perpetrators of domestic violence from using litigation as a form of continued harassment. Controlling and abusive litigation is when someone uses the court system to exert power and control over a victim. Tactics of abusive litigation include taking the survivor, or their loved ones, to court again and again to maintain control, harass, intimidate, coerce, and impoverish the survivor.

While the Massachusetts Legislature took up legislation regarding abuse and exploitation last session, this gap in our legal system was not addressed. This bill effectively corrects this injustice by defining the abuse in the general laws as well as provides a framework for the courts to use when a party is accused of abusive litigation and if they are found guilty.