Opening cans of worms

[Ravenstorm]

The law of unintended consequences. (http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1105785144152810.xml)

The first of many.

Raven

[Edaarin]

Good move jackasses.

Though it does open a new possibility for living arrangements for Ben.

Whaaat?

How is that not a law already?

[AnticorRifling]

I don't see a problem with it. I'd go in depth but you stopped taking in what I say in this post after the first sentence so I'm gonna go get some water.

[Tsa`ah]

I think the problem with this is akin to the problem with "hate crime" laws.

Abuse is abuse, violence is violence. It's rather sad that our law makers want to quantify and qualify degrees of criminal acts with catchy rhetoric.

If you beat the shit out of your girlfriend, you should be charged in the same manner as the neighbor that beats his wife or some pimp that beats down a prostitute. Much the same as some guy beating the crap out of an old lady for her SSI check should be charged much in the same manner as a group of skin heads beating down a person of a differing race.

[DeV]

"It's one of the consequences of passing this amendment that we tried to warn people about," Downing said. "And for whatever reason, the majority of people in the state didn't listen."
Yes and they're also idiots.

[Mistomeer]

Yes, that sucks. Abuse is abuse, no matter the relationship.

On another note, HOLY FUCKING SHIT I CAN'T BELIEVE RAVENSTORM STARTED ANOTHER GAY RIGHTS TOPIC.

/sarcasm

Hate crimes legislation and this topic are a joke. A crime is a crime.

- Arkans

[Parkbandit]

I think I've got motion sickness from all the spin in that article.

WE MUST GRANT HOMOSEXUALS THE RIGHT TO MARRY NOW OR YOU ARE ALL DOOMED!

If a guy beats a girl... it's called assault. What fucking "rights" did she lose??

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Parkbandit
If a guy beats a girl... it's called assault. What fucking "rights" did she lose??

He was hindering her "Persuit of Happiness" right.

</I got nothin>

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by Parkbandit
I think I've got motion sickness from all the spin in that article.

WE MUST GRANT HOMOSEXUALS THE RIGHT TO MARRY NOW OR YOU ARE ALL DOOMED!

If a guy beats a girl... it's called assault. What fucking "rights" did she lose??

Because it's no longer considered "domestic violence". Hence a spouse has more legal recourse against the abuser than a couple that are just living together.

The result? Unwed abusers get lighter sentencing. The effect is stripping away legal protections from gay and unwed couples.

[DeV]

Originally posted by Parkbandit
If a guy beats a girl... it's called assault. What fucking "rights" did she lose?? It's far from someone losing rights. It's more so about an unmarried victim being protected in the same way a married woman or man who would be if they are attacked by their married partner.


Specifically, a married victim of domestic violence would have more protection than an unmarried neighbor beaten by a live-in lover, and married and unmarried defendants would be treated differently as well.





The law treats anyone "living as a spouse" the same as a spouse when it comes to domestic violence: It defines domestic violence as an attack, or attempted or threatened attack, against a household member, and includes unmarried couples - so-called cohabitants.





In any such case, defendants' lawyers now may be ethically and legally bound to file a motion to dismiss on the constitutionality grounds, said Tim Downing, a lawyer and gay-rights activist who opposed Issue 1. If the defense succeeds and a defense lawyer fails to use it, he or she could be accused of malpractice.


It is potentially opening a legal can of worms where the attacker may benefit .

[Parkbandit]

Attacker may benefit? So he gets 6 years instead of 5?

Sorry.. I still don't get it. If I went home tonight and beat my wife.. I'm going to get more prison time than if I went home and beat my neighbor's wife?

[DeV]

Yes, benefit by getting a lighter sentence and why, because their criminal activity is not considered as bad as a married man who beat the shit out of his wife. Yes, benefit, yes.

[Sephoria]

You don't have to be a married for it to be considered domestic violence.

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by Sephoria
You don't have to be a married for it to be considered domestic violence.

This we know. Read the link.

The debate is about Ohio changing rhetoric to strip away legal protection from the unwed.

[Hulkein]

Can't the person being beat just leave and file regular charges?

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Hulkein
Can't the person being beat just leave and file regular charges?

If only it were that simple

[Tsa`ah]

Were it that simple is correct.

If such crimes are dismissed from court because they don't fall under the category of "domestic violence", the victim is not eligible for the social services and advocacy programs as well.

The victim is no longer able to get an order of protection, specifically and with expedience, from the court due to being unwed.

Let's not even get into the level of punishment between standard assault and domestic violence.

And not everyone has the financial ability to pick up and leave, not everyone has family and friends. Nothing is rarely "that easy".

Originally posted by Nieninque

Originally posted by Hulkein
Can't the person being beat just leave and file regular charges?

If only it were that simple

It is.

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by Dave
It is.

Yep, it's just that easy.

Do us a favor and think before you post.

[GSTamral]

The more and more stupid technicality arguments and single case "OH MY GOD LET ME FEEL SORRY FOR THIS VICTIM BECAUSE AN EXTRA YEAR OF JAIL TIME IS LOST FOR THE ATTACKER" posts I read, the less and less I care for the cause. Not that I cared that much to begin with, but at least I sympathized with elements of the issue that I felt were wrong. I guess Ravenstorm is a closet conservative trying to breed apathy in his own support base, because the only thing more stuff like this does is make those who feel strongly echo their thoughts, make those who oppose the measures stronger in their beliefs, and generate more and more apathy from the middle.

[Latrinsorm]

Ohio is seriously f-ed up if domestic violence means the police are obligated to enforce a protective order but attempted murder doesn't.

[Fengus]

WHOOP DE DOO!!!

All this says to me is to stay outta fucked up Ohio. But I mean really was there anyone, that wasn't born in poverty already living in Ohio, that has plans on moving there?

[Killer Kitten]

Originally posted by Fengus
WHOOP DE DOO!!!

All this says to me is to stay outta fucked up Ohio. But I mean really was there anyone, that wasn't born in poverty already living in Ohio, that has plans on moving there?

Just moved to Ohio from New York City.
Best move I ever made. People are nicer, cost of living is lower, quality of life is much better, husband and I are much happier.
Kimm

[Nakiro]

Ohio is the best state.

At least when its all over the abusee can look back and say, "Well at least I didn't marry the fucker!"

[Hulkein]

File normal charges and leave.

Is it any easier financially to leave when it is considered domestic abuse?

Personally, I think it goes back to the person, don't live with someone who has a propensity for violence. People don't just turn into girlfriend beaters overnight.

[Nakiro]

They don't, but people develop personalities that are prone (and in some cases seek out) abusive relationships.