My name is Bernt Walker, and I am in my final year at Saint Louis University School of Law. I am enrolled in Health Law, Policy and Advocacy, affectionately referred to as Grassroots Advocacy, where I work with Missouri Appleseed on various policy initiatives and attend trips to the Missouri State Capitol.
During these trips, we meet with legislators, listen in on hearings, and provide testimony. I was drawn to this work based on my experience working as a Legislative Aide to a County Commissioner in Wayne County, Michigan, which further strengthened my commitment to public service and advocacy.
On March 31, 2026, before the crack of dawn, four of us carpooled to Jefferson City, Missouri, to provide testimony in support of House Bill (HB) 1872, the Missouri Survivors’ Act. Several of us, including Representative Renee Reuter, testified in support of HB 1872. After each person testified, the bill was, for the most part, well received, especially in terms of the emotional impact it has had on all parties involved.
The strong support for the bill came as no surprise. However, there was some procedural pushback regarding what the bill would mean for judges and the court of appeals if passed. I do believe this is a fair concern because any new legislation that expands or shifts judicial discretion naturally raises questions about judicial workload, appellate review standards, and how courts will consistently apply the new framework.
Below is the testimony I shared with the House Committee on Children & Families.
“Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
My name is Bernt Walker, and I am a student at Saint Louis University School of Law. I am here today with Missouri Appleseed in support of House Bill 1872, the Missouri Survivors’ Act.
Forty-one percent. Approximately forty-one percent of women in Missouri have experienced intimate partner physical violence in some form or another. That is nearly half the women in this state.
For many women, fear is part of everyday life. These are our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends, and neighbors. And some of them, as we have heard today, after years of living in fear, being threatened, and being hurt, made a desperate choice to protect themselves or their children. Now they are sitting behind bars because of it.
I am not condoning violence, nor am I saying what they did was right.
But here is the problem. Right now, a woman who was beaten, controlled, or terrorized for years can stand in a Missouri courtroom, and that evidence would not be considered. Her abuse is essentially invisible at sentencing.
House Bill 1872 alleviates that. It allows survivors to bring forward evidence, and if that abuse was a substantial contributing factor to their conviction, the judge can sentence them under a lower felony class.
Missouri is simply being asked to provide survivors a second chance to have their full story considered. Please support House Bill 1872 and ensure that the full story of a survivor’s life can finally be heard in a Missouri courtroom.
Thank you.”
