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Domestic Violence…
It’s Not a Private Matter. It’s a Crime.
The Legal System Task Force focuses on the Central Ohio legal
system – our courts, police, prosecutors and civil attorneys, and advocates. When victims
encounter the legal system, too often the system fails to protect them. A study commissioned
by the Coalition found that a typical sentence for a batterer is probation
and a $30 fine – less than the cost of a typical speeding ticket.
Though the last two years have brought needed changes to the legal response to domestic violence – especially for teen victims – much more work needs to be done to ensure that domestic violence victims get justice.
Domestic violence crimes, and the related crime "menacing by stalking," clog the Franklin County Municipal Court – 4,000 cases were filed in 2008 – and court records show a high number of repeat offenders and dismissals.
Victims also struggle in the civil system. Most batterers are granted custody, despite proof of abuse.
Additionally, victims rarely are awarded, in protection order or divorce cases, the economic justice they need and deserve.
The Task Force works on legal reform by providing civil legal assistance for victims, judicial reform, training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors and attorneys. It is our goal to assess the legal response to domestic violence in our community, to create city and county-wide alliances and initiatives and to be a model for other communities in legal domestic violence advocacy and change.
Click on an icon below for more information about the Legal System task
force initiatives, or write to us.
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