Ohio’s Domestic Violence Law Being Challenged

As predicted by opponents of Ohio’s gay marriage ban, the law was construed so narrowly as to render its domestic violence law not applicable to unmarried couples. And sure enough, here comes a batterer to challenge his prosecution—and the moral values brigade is in his corner:

In a case from Warren County, Michael Carswell says that he shouldn't be charged with felony domestic violence against his girlfriend because state law conflicts with the constitution.

Citizens for Community Values, which led the campaign to pass the gay- marriage ban, filed a brief supporting Carswell.

The ban prohibits state or local government from recognizing a legal status for relationships that approximate marriage.

The domestic-violence law, adopted in 1979, specifically covers "persons living as a spouse."

A district court has ruled the domestic violence law unconstitutional, so now it goes to the Ohio Supreme Court. In the meantime, attorney Alexandria Ruden of Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and co-author of Ohio Domestic Violence Law points out, “The thought that women could die while we're debating is appalling to me.” Yeah, as it would be to anyone with any sense of decency. But not to men who beat the crap out of women, and certainly not to the “Citizens for Community Values,” who apparently believe that beating on women is a community value.

Disgusting. Halting progress never means just not moving forward; it always means moving backward.

(Hat tip Holly.)