I'm speaking up for myself and every survivor of domestic violence in Ohio. For every woman, man, and child who has endured the terror of strangulation, stalking, and escalating threats, it's time for change. For those who reported their abusers and those too frightened to speak out, your voices matter. I am calling on the Ohio General Assembly and the Ohio judicial system to bolster protections for victims and survivors, ensuring their safety and dignity.

In Ohio, domestic violence is often misunderstood as a one-off event. However, it frequently represents a pattern of escalating threats, coercion, and brutal attacks, including strangulation, which is not always recognized as the severe danger it truly is. Strangulation is a life-threatening act that can lead to long-term psychological and physical effects and is a red flag for further lethal violence. Statistics reveal that victims of prior strangulation are 750% more likely to be killed by the same abuser. Yet, in too many cases, these warning signs are ignored, leaving survivors vulnerable.

The Ohio legal system must acknowledge the gravity of strangulation and treat it as a specific felony-level crime. Doing so would enable law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts to impose stricter penalties on offenders, dismantle the cycle of violence, and send a resounding message that such acts will not be tolerated.

Beyond legislative actions, we must improve training for police officers, prosecutors, and judges to better understand and respond to the dynamics of domestic violence and strangulation. Ensuring that all reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly can make a significant difference in the lives of survivors. To support this, Ohio must establish a centralized database to track restraining orders and violations, providing more robust data visibility which can inform law enforcement responses and judicial outcomes.

We are urging Ohio lawmakers to take decisive action and implement these changes to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders and the devastating impacts of domestic violence. Every individual deserves to live without fear of those who have hurt them.

Join me in saying enough is enough. Sign this petition to hold repeat offenders accountable and protect Ohio's survivors of domestic violence from being victimized again.