Protecting the Victims of Dating Violence

The Ohio House has approved a bill that would allow victims of dating violence to seek protective orders against the perpetrator, as well as other support systems.

The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Rep. Emelia Strong Sykes, an Akron Democrat, and Rep. Nathan Manning, a North Ridgeville Republican.

The bill updates Ohio’s current law which fails to recognize dating violence in the same vein as spousal violence, familial violence or those living together — victims of which are able to seek protective orders.

The bill allows victims of dating violence to seek domestic violence shelters. It also requires the Ohio Attorney General’s office to include information about the domestic dating violence in its victim’s bill of rights pamphlet.

Ohio and Georgia are the only states that do not cover dating violence victims under domestic violence laws.

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