The Columbus Dispatch reports that Ohio Governor Ted Strickland called for a thorough assessment and broad reforms of how the state prevents and punishes domestic violence.
Some of the changes Strickland vowed to explore included stiffer penalties for repeat offenders, strengthening laws so prosecutors can proceed with cases even if the victim recants, and establishing judicial review hearings requiring convicted offenders to meet regularly with a judge to prove they are no longer abusing and are complying with all court orders. Strickland vowed to review policies that have worked in other states to help reduce domestic violence and to recognize the “clear difference” between first-time offenders and repeat abusers. The governor’s statements yesterday were made in response to a recent investigation by the newspaper concluding that Ohio fell short in arrests for domestic abuse and services to treat both victims and offenders.
For full story, see: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/20/DVgov.ART_ART_11-20-09_A1_8PFO3G3.html?sid=101
http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=cincinnati&sParam=32101961.story