In 2021, I was forced to file a five-year protective order against my ex-partner. Despite this, she continued to harass me - leaving notes on my car, stealing from me, applying for credit and housing in my name, and even assaulting me. When brought before the court in Franklin County on her fifth offense, the judge showed sympathy due to her status as a single mother of three and gave her a lenient sentence - GPS monitoring and less than 30 days' incarceration.

This is not an isolated incident. Many victims of domestic violence in Ohio face similar situations where their abusers are given lenient sentences by judges who do not take domestic violence seriously enough. This is especially true in cases involving same-sex couples. The lack of severe consequences enables these offenders to continue their abusive behavior with little fear of significant repercussions.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. In Ohio alone, over 38% of women and nearly 30% men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape or stalking during their lifetimes (NCADV). Yet despite these alarming statistics, repeat offenders often face no serious consequences for their actions.

We demand that the state legislature enact stricter penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders regardless of gender or sexual orientation. We also call upon our judiciary system to treat all cases with the gravity they deserve rather than showing undue leniency based on personal circumstances unrelated to the crime committed.

Please sign this petition if you believe that everyone deserves justice and protection from abuse without discrimination or bias.