How a Mass. law became a "gift" to abusers

Also: The local battles over "progressive" prosecutors; the end of free government COVID tests [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  August 29, 2022 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Good Morning Boston, If you're looking to squeeze in one last beach day, this is the week. Daily high temperatures are expected to be in 80s through Labor Day, and there's not much rain in sight. So, we won't say anything if you need to take a "sick" day. To the news: - How did a Massachusetts law created to protect victims of domestic assault become what some call a "gift" to abusers? In a new special investigation, WBUR's Ally Jarmanning reports that a uniquely broad privacy law has kept the public in the dark about reports of domestic abuse, even when they ultimately end in murder. - Where does this law come from? Passed in the wake of a highly publicized 2013 murder, the law requires police to keep all reports and arrests related to sexual and domestic violence secret. It's something that no other state in the country requires. - Why? Supporters hoped it would encourage victims to reach out to police, with the knowledge their identities would be kept secret. - What happened? There's no evidence the law had its intended effect; data suggest local domestic violence reports remained flat since the law took effect. But there are concerns about "unintended consequences." Victims advocates say domestic violence "thrives on secrecy and silence." The law also ended up shielding police departments from scrutiny over how they responded to reports of abuse and made it harder for victims to access records they need for custody battles and restraining orders. - Go deeper: Read the [nine takeaways from the story here]( or check out Ally's full investigation in the rundown below. - Nine days down, three more weeks to go: MBTA leaders say they've completed over a third of Orange Line shutdown repairs and expect the monthlong closure to finish on time on Sept. 19. - Gov. Charlie Baker, who toured some of the track work happening in downtown Boston on Sunday, says the massive disruption will be worth it. When the Orange Line reopens, T officials say they will be able to phase out almost all "[slow zones]( on the line, as well as run predominantly new Orange line cars. - If any of the [many college kids returning to campus this week]( are reading this, here are [your options for getting around the closure](. - Reminder: The MBTA's recently announced cuts to bus and Green Line services (due to a driver shortage) took effect Sunday. You can read the list of which lines are affected — and how — [here](. - PSA: Today is the last day to [request a mail-in ballot]( for the Massachusetts state primary next Tuesday — though state officials say you likely won't have time to mail it back at this point. - Secretary of State Bill Galvin says you should have your ballot in the mail at least seven days before the election. If you're sending it in this week, you can [track your ballot's return status here](. - If you're just requesting a mail-in ballot now, you can return it in person at your [local election office or drop box]( or drop it off — or just go vote — at [a local early voting location](. Early voting continues this week through Friday. - Read our [guide]( to all the statewide races, from the Republican gubernatorial primary to the Democratic contest for auditor. P.S.— We [found out late last night]( that there's a new Taylor Swift album on the way and she [just updated her website]( with the details. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [How a Mass. law intended to protect victims became a 'gift to abusers']( The state’s unique law, intended to protect the privacy of victims of domestic and sexual violence, has instead protected perpetrators and police, a WBUR investigation found. The law requires police keep secret all reports related to sexual and domestic violence. [Read more.]( [How a Mass. law intended to protect victims became a 'gift to abusers']( The state’s unique law, intended to protect the privacy of victims of domestic and sexual violence, has instead protected perpetrators and police, a WBUR investigation found. The law requires police keep secret all reports related to sexual and domestic violence. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts district attorney races and the progressive prosecutor]( Progressive prosecutors are facing a backlash across the country. Now the battle has moved to Massachusetts, where it's playing out very differently from one county to the next. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts district attorney races and the progressive prosecutor]( Progressive prosecutors are facing a backlash across the country. Now the battle has moved to Massachusetts, where it's playing out very differently from one county to the next. [Read more.]( [The government will no longer be sending free COVID-19 tests to Americans]( The Biden administration is pausing its distribution of free COVID-19 tests this week, but you can still order new ones before the end date. [Read more.]( [The government will no longer be sending free COVID-19 tests to Americans]( The Biden administration is pausing its distribution of free COVID-19 tests this week, but you can still order new ones before the end date. [Read more.]( [Remembering Gold Star father Paul Monti]( The Massachusetts man who began what became known as Operation Flags for Vets after his own son was killed in Afghanistan has died. [Read more.]( [Remembering Gold Star father Paul Monti]( The Massachusetts man who began what became known as Operation Flags for Vets after his own son was killed in Afghanistan has died. [Read more.]( [Striving to outrace polio: What's it like living with the disease]( As polio makes a comeback, Minda Dentler reflects on her life with the disease. Paralyzed as an infant in India, she’s gone on to become a champion wheelchair triathlete and a vaccine advocate. [Read more.]( [Striving to outrace polio: What's it like living with the disease]( As polio makes a comeback, Minda Dentler reflects on her life with the disease. Paralyzed as an infant in India, she’s gone on to become a champion wheelchair triathlete and a vaccine advocate. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Sixty years after President John F. Kennedy's famous speech, NASA is again [planning to send humans to the moon](. You may be wondering: "Why go back?" Here are [four reasons for the mission.]( - Remember MoviePass? Pay $10 a month and you can go to a movie pretty much whenever you want — until the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020. But now, MoviePass is coming back, and the CEO says it'll be different this time around. Here's [what you need to know](. - ICYMI: Moderna [announced Friday that it's suing Pfizer]( accusing the fellow drugmaker of copying the mRNA technology behind the Cambridge-based biotech company's COVID-19 vaccine. - Britney is back! She joined forces with Sir Elton John to put out her first song since her conservatorship ended. Sampling melodies from John's famous "Tiny Dancer,"[the duo released "Hold Me Closer"]( — and it's definitely fit for clubs all over.  What We're Reading 📚 - Will Secretary of State Bill Galvin outlast us all? ([The Boston Globe]( - The Sixth Love Language Does Not Exist ([The New York Times]( - After a humpback whale crashed on top of me in my kayak, I set out to learn how they communicate ([The Boston Globe Magazine](  Food for Thought [Where to Get the Best French Toast around Boston (Boston Magazine)]( From Southie to Dorchester, options abound. [Read more.]( [Where to Get the Best French Toast around Boston (Boston Magazine)]( From Southie to Dorchester, options abound. [Read more.]( Before you go: [You. Shall. Not. Pass!]( (...if you're driving a moving truck.) Digital producer Derek Anderson co-produced this newsletter. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2022 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.