Brave. Motivated. Determined.
Kayleigh Kozak is the namesake behind “Kayleigh’s Law”. She is the definition of determination and her story is both moving and inspirational. Kayleigh is proof that it only takes one person to make a change.
Kayleigh is a wife, proud mother to five beautiful children, college graduate, successful stakeholder in the legislative process in multiple states, political activist and public speaker. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse; a category she never wanted any part of.
In February of 2020, 13 years after her case was closed, Kayleigh had to face the man who sexually abused her as a young teen again in court. Based on the current laws governing Arizona, Kayleigh was informed that when her perpetrators probation ended, so did her protection, as there was no protection for victims post probation. She had to appeal against his motion for early termination from his lifetime probation. Together, with her local legislators, Kayleigh worked to draft a bill and create a new law, providing victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse continued protection that would last their lifetime, regardless of the terms of their abuser’s probation status. In April of 2021, Governor Ducey signed SB1412, thus making Arizona the first state in the nation to offer protection that is valid for an actual lifetime to victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. In June of 2021, the Arizona State Senate Proclaimed SB1412 as "Kayleigh’s Law".
Kayleigh's drive and passion to continue to stand up and demand change against a broken system exemplifies her strength.
Her grassroot efforts are changing the laws for victims and survivors across America!
A personal message from Kayleigh
God has a plan and purpose for our pain.
When the man who sexually abused me took a plea deal that included lifetime probation, I discovered that my direct protection was tied to the terms of his probation. The realization that once his probation ended, my protection would be gone left me determined to take action. After 15 years, I found myself facing my abuser in court, pleading with the judge to deny his appeal. In that moment, a fire was ignited within me. It became clear that this fight was no longer just about me; it was about being a voice for victims and survivors everywhere. I reached out to my local state senator, Sine Kerr, who helped introduce new legislation in Arizona titled 'SB1412,' which provided victims of certain crimes most notably sex crimes the option to have protection that would be valid for their lifetime, regardless of the terms of the perpetrators probation status. This bill passed with bipartisan support. Now, my fervent hope is to see this law enacted across our nation. Victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse deserve to be protected, not just in Arizona, but everywhere. I will continue fighting for change, Because You Still Matter.
-Kayleigh