Site Content

Inspired by the Stacy Peterson case, the EAA was created to ensure that a victim's words about her fears and previous violence will not disappear if she does.

For the victim, it simply documents their history and experiences in a notarized document. If possible, it is always helpful to add any documentation, such as police/hospital reports, photos, letters, and emails, that help substantiate their experience and DNA samples. This type of Affidavit would eliminate the hearsay argument that was such a hurdle in the Kathleen Savio case. Additionally, making multiple copies will ensure that this information will find its way to law enforcement if anything should happen to the victim and they cannot testify on their own behalf.

The Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA) is the mastermind process of violence expert Susan Murphy Milano. The EAA combines video taping (of a victim's actual words attesting to the abuse) and creative witnessed and notarized legal documents that successfully satisfy the legal hurdles often faced in these cases. The unique packaging of testimony, documentation, perpetrator historical profiling, and pre-collected evidence delivered to established safe and legal persons, wrap this delicate issue up for successful prosecution.

Norma Peterson, a sister-in-law of the missing Bolingbrook mother, Stacy Peterson, is the Executive Director of Document the Abuse which houses the work of the late domestic violence advocate Susan Murphy Milano, specifically the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA).

She worked directly with Chicago native Murphy Milano behind the scenes during the high-profile case of her brother-in-law, Drew Peterson. Since its conclusion, she can finally speak about her family’s experience and become a public spokesperson for the safety of abuse victims. 

As Executive Director, Peterson works with other experts in intimate partner violence to train and certify providers to catapult the EAA into a global network of assistance for victims of violence. In addition, she currently works with local law enforcement agencies and legislators to establish the EAA in their protocol when working with victims of domestic violence. 

As an Illinois State Outreach Coordinator for CUE Center for Missing Persons, Norma, and her husband, Paul Peterson, head a team of volunteers within the organization who assist with missing persons outreach and assistance. CUE Center is integral in implementing all aspects of Document the Abuse and the EAA.

Norma has appeared on Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen on the OWN Network, featured on a Snapped episode aired on the Oxygen channel, and on several media outlets updating Stacy Peterson’s missing persons case and highlighting her work with Document the Abuse.  

About Document the Abuse and the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit: …“the EAA helps victims of abuse, stalking, or harassment. It can be used for anyone in a situation which has the potential for harm to an individual, be it physical, sexual, psychological or financial.”  The EAA relates the victim’s history and experiences if anything should happen that they are unable to speak for themselves.   normampeterson@comcast.net