Title
To express the City of Columbus’ support for House Bill no. 392 of the 131st General Assembly of Ohio regarding domestic violence protections for intimate partners
Body
WHEREAS, domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systemic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another; and
WHEREAS, there were nearly 40,000 domestic violence arrests in Ohio in 2013 and that year represent the continue toll of domestic violence in Ohio every year; and
WHEREAS, current Ohio law regarding domestic violence in inadequate to address the true nature of the crime because it limits the protections afforded to victims; and
WHEREAS, House Bill no. 392 has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives by Representative Emelia Sykes of the 34th District and Representative Christie Kuhns of the 32nd District; and
WHEREAS, the bill would expand the definition of victims of domestic violence to include intimate partners, who are individuals in continuing and significant relationships of a romantic nature with an alleged batterer; and
WHEREAS, House Bill no. 392 would provide additional protection to domestic violence victims and stronger tools to Ohio law enforcement agencies and courts of law to protect victims and adjudicate alleged batterers; and
WHEREAS, House Bill no. 392 would update the Ohio Revised Code to comport with the latest and best practices to address domestic violence; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That the City of Columbus affirms its support for and urges the Ohio General Assembly to consider and pass House Bill no. 392 with all due expediency for the protection and well-being of all intimate partners suffering the crime of domestic violence