Kentucky House Bill 35 would expand the protective order statute to allow persons who are dating, or have dated, but who have never lived together, and do not have a child in common, to petition for protective orders. The bill would also expand the warrantless arrest statute to cover all persons in a dating relationship.
"We are excited to work with Kentucky Equality Federation on this bill," stated Beth Workman, the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association IDA Program Coordinator. "One in four adults are direct victims of domestic violence and one in five teenagers are victims of intimate partner violence. Currently in Kentucky, only certain groups are afforded legal protection to escape domestic abuse. House Bill 35 would expand the protective order statute to allow persons who are dating, or have dated, but who have never lived together, and do not have a child in common, to petition for protective orders."
Physical and sexual abuse is the most often talked about piece of dating abuse, but dating abuse doesn’t have to be physical. It can include verbal and emotional abuse and controlling behaviors. In addition, as technologies like cell phones and social networking become the norm for communication, they can also be used to further abuse and control.
"Passing House Bill 35 is a very important step forward in protecting all people from violence and securing equality for all citizens of the Commonwealth. Neither domestic nor dating violence are bound by a specific sexual orientation, both heterosexual and homosexual couples endure dating violence," stated Anderson Ruth, a Kentucky Equality Federation Internal Coordinator and Political Blogger. "Same-sex couples should be granted the same constitutional protections as any other family or dating couple."
"I welcome this union between Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association," stated Julia Oiler Spiegel, the Kentucky Equality Federation Children of LGBTI Parents Outreach Director. Ms. Spiegel is also the Director of the Kentucky Chapter of COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere), an international organization with 52 chapters in the United States. The Kentucky Chapter of COLAGE is a coalition partner and member of Kentucky Equality Federation. "Physical and mental abuse is a major problem with all communities in Kentucky."
Click here to sign the petition.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kentucky Equality Federation: (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 5
Kentucky Domestic Violence Association: (502) 226-5382
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