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Stop shielding from prosecution those accused of rape and assault

Though the effort has failed to gain momentum in the past, it would seem as though this year’s Ohio House Bill 161 is a no-brainer for lawmakers. The bill to “eliminate spousal exceptions for certain sex offenses” would get rid of “the spousal exceptions for the offenses of rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition and importuning” and permit “a person to testify against the person’s spouse in a prosecution for any of those offenses.”

Among the main targets of the proposed legislation is the legal shield from criminal prosecution for those who rape or sexually abuse their spouses if drugs or intoxicants are found in the victim’s system. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Jessica Miranda, D-Forest Park, and Brett Hillyer, R-Uhrichsville.

“We want to be a state that protects victims and protect survivors, not one that protects rapists and pedophiles,” Miranda told WTVG.

Again, it seems like an easy decision. But Buckeye State lawmakers have resisted it.

“Lawmakers didn’t do what they should have done and fix this so that we can get rid of this archaic exemption for spousal rape in our state. It’s just the right thing to do,” Miranda said, according to WTVG.

They’ve got a chance to get this right, though, as hearings with testimony from advocates and survivors are set to begin in June. One has to wonder why lawmakers would want to maintain excuses to shield those who have been accused of rape or sexual abuse from the legal process.

Surely those who are hesitant will think better of it and vote to remove those exceptions at their earliest chance.

editorial@vindy.com

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