Ohio state laws regarding dating violence have failed, according to a recent study produced by Break the Cycle, an organization aimed at preventing domestic violence.
Break the Cycle gave Ohio an "F" in dating violence prevention because of the requirements victims must meet to obtain a protection order.
According to state law, victims under the age of 18 or who are in dating relationships are not able to file protection orders.
"The reason Ohio received a failing grade is because protection law in Ohio excludes dating relationships," said Colleen Gallopin, policy and technical assistance manager at Break the Cycle.
According to Break the Cycle's findings, types of relationships qualifying for protection orders in Ohio include cohabitation in the past five years, marriage or previous marriage, co-parenting or blood or marriage relation.
Gallopin said Break the Cycle automatically gives a failing grade to states not allowing victims under 18 or victims of dating violence to file protection orders.
"Because so many teens are experiencing abuse in dating relationships, a state that excludes dating relationships excludes a lot of teens," Gallopin said.
According to Oxford Police Department (OPD) records, there have been 35 calls and four arrests related to domestic violence in the first three months of 2009. However, the number of calls related to dating violence is small, Sgt. Jim Squance said.
Middletown's Dove House Shelter manager, Melissa Kennard, said there are a number of education programs in the area aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and providing support for victims and their families, such as local crisis centers.
Although OPD remains aware of the domestic calls it receives, officers are often concerned with officer safety when responding to these types of calls, Squance said. Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous situations for police, he said.
"These are not only sad situations, but also very dangerous for police," Squance said. "We take all domestic violence calls very seriously because you never know how they will turn."
Squance said these situations are also difficult because they often involve high emotion and children.
"If not handled properly, it can turn into a dangerous situation quickly," Squance said.
Although the state of Ohio received a poor grade in dating violence prevention, Squance said Oxford is not experiencing symptoms of poor prevention. Dating violence among teens as well as dating violence among Miami University students do not seem to be prevalent in Oxford, Squance said.
