Domestic violence is on the rise in Ohio. According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, “Ohio suffered 131 domestic violence fatalities in the year ending June 30, 2021, a 20% increase in fatalities over the same time period last year, and a 62% increase from two years prior”. 

Domestic violence can be extremely traumatic for victims, especially for those who are seriously injured and disfigured by their abusers. Our mission is to change an existing Ohio law called “Judy’s Law”. Judy Malinowski was a cancer survivor and mother of two who lived in Columbus, Ohio. In August of 2015, Judy was doused in gasoline and set on fire by her abuser.  She survived for some 700 days, with severe burns over 95% of her body. Sadly, Judy died of her injuries in June of 2017, just hours before Ohio lawmakers passed Judy’s Law. Judy’s law adds an extra six years to a sentence to anyone who attacks victims with accelerants to severely harm a domestic violence victim.

While Judy’s law was a good start, we plan to increase the additional punishment of these violent offenders from six years to nine. We also plan to change the criteria of the law to apply to any victim disfigurement, and not limiting it to only accelerants. This ensures that extremely violent abusers get the punishment they deserve, and secures some justice for families of domestic violence victims. By signing this petition, you aid us in our fight to put violent abusers behind bars for a longer time. 

Please do not send monetary donations! Your signature is more than enough support.