Title
To express Columbus City Council’s support of HB 392 Intimate Partner Violence Bill as introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives, which proposes expanding the protections and legal options for victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Body
WHEREAS, abuse and domestic violence -related offenses are devastating to the women, men, and children affected as well as damaging to communities as a whole; and
WHEREAS, all citizens in serious and romantic relationships deserve protection from domestic violence and abuse perpetrated by their partner; and
WHEREAS, abuse and domestic violence-related offenses are also devastating to the partners, spouses, and families of those who engage in these offenses; and
WHEREAS, Ohio’s current law only protects “families or household members,” and does not protect all individuals in serious and romantic relationships with a perpetrator; and
WHEREAS, the Intimate Partner Violence Bill will extend necessary protections to those persons who are in serious and romantic relationships with their abusers; and
WHEREAS, all abuse and domestic violence victims should have the same legal tools at their disposal to protect themselves from further abuse and violence; and
WHEREAS, expanding liability for abuse and domestic violence-related offenses to victim partners falling outside the current definition is a crucial step in protecting all individuals; and
WHEREAS, initiatives to combat domestic violence and abuse offenses are essential to retain and increase population and stabilize the Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council endorses legislation that is committed to expanding protection to victims of domestic violence and abuse that are in serious and romantic relationships; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare its support for HB 392 Intimate Partner Violence Bill, as introduced on November 9, 2015, which proposes extending certain pro...
Click here for full text