Little shares insight into how she’s working to change the Commonwealth’s archaic decree

For years, victims of domestic violence faced a myriad of challenges if they wished to get a divorce in the state of Virginia. Not only did they have to endure the legal process of going through the court system, but also deal with the expensive medical bills, which could create even more of a burden. In addition, the laws currently in place states that those filing for divorce in abusive situations must wait at least one year before it can be granted. Although they could be granted one immediately in cases of adultery, the same opportunity is not given.

Finally, one survivor has bravely challenged the laws and is one step closer to giving victims a greater opportunity for freedom.

Last month, advocate and domestic abuse survivor, Makya Little wrote a passionate plea to Virginia’s General Assembly, providing a detailed account of her own tragedy, with alarming statistics that show the necessity of changing these laws immediately. She spoke with the PW Perspective about the laboring process she’s had to undertake in preparation of taking on the governing structure.

“Under Virginia’s current laws–I am ineligible to be granted a full divorce on grounds of cruelty until May 2022,” said Little. “I realized I could advocate for the laws to change faster than I could get a divorce.”

Using her experience in previous advocacy efforts, such as leading the Thomas Jefferson Alumni Action Group to advocate for admissions reform at the prestigious high school, it gave her the belief that taking on this massive challenge was even possible. She formed the relationships necessary and realized that she could generate enough public and legislative support to bring about change.

In addition, she created a powerful campaign titled “Free Makya” that gained significant support on social media. The purpose of the campaign was to educate the public on the inequities and discrepancy in Virginia’s divorce laws, with the goal of identifying a patron to carry a bill that would reform the laws.

Through her efforts, she has found exactly that, as the Chief Patron for House Bill No. 1351 is Delegate Nadarius Clark (D-79th District House), with the Co-Patrons are Delegates L. Kaye Kory (D-38th District), Angelia Williams Graves (D-90th) and Candi King (D-2nd). The bill, which was officially introduced to the 2022 General Assembly session on January 21, seeks to amend the law that domestic abuse survivors must wait a year before being granted a divorce in Virginia, but have it given immediately similar to other situations, such as adultery.

Although she has seen forward progress in the bill’s introduction, she recalls the obstacles in getting to this point. “To be honest, I significantly underestimated the level of effort and the emotional tax and toll of advancing this campaign alone,” says Little. “I remember the pain of the tweets that go unanswered, the responses of legislators expressing how they had no time, didn’t feel it was an issue, or had no room to take up my proposed legislation when I already drafted the bill myself…that hurt.”

So how was she able to stay encouraged? “It was the “shares” of my Village, the growing signatures on my petition, and the encouraging direct messages I received from friends and other survivors of domestic violence fueled me and kept me going.”

There was one encouraging moment that stayed fresh in her mind.

“The most encouraging day was January 3, 2022, when Delegate Kory advised me she had requested a draft of my proposed legislation. I honestly didn’t know what that meant at first and had to ask former Delegate Joshua Cole to explain the process to me. After a friend recommended I research the history of Virginia’s divorce laws, I saw that Delegate Kory was a patron of 2021’s HB 1911, which removed the corroboration requirement for a divorce to be granted. Since I had previously partnered with her on educating the Northern Virginia community on the admissions reform efforts at TJ, I reached out and asked her for 15 minutes of her time to discuss my proposed bill. That’s when she advised me she had already requested the draft.”

Little is headed to Richmond to speak with legislators today about its passage, with the support of many in her corner. Should this bill become law, it will give survivors the opportunity to fight back, and take that step towards healing. To find out more information, visit The Phoenix Phoundation website at ThePhoundation.org.

#FreeMakya