Focus on domestic violence

COLUMBUS

Victims of domestic violence will soon be able to shield their home addresses from public records, under legislation signed into law this month by Gov. John Kasich.

The only remaining question is why it took so long to finalize a program that’s been pursued by Democrats and Republicans for years.

Republican Gov. Bob Taft and Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner were proponents during their terms in office. So was former state Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, and her successor, Rep. Kathleen Clyde, D-Kent.

Bills were introduced in multiple general assemblies.

“I imagine that none of us has been in the position of having a stalker follow us or monitor our every move, nor do I suppose that any of us has experienced the real fear of a person whom we believe will try to physically harm us or harm our children,” Chandler said a half a dozen years ago, when the Ohio House moved comparable legislation. “There has been case after case where individuals, both men and women, have felt enough fear that they seek legal protection through the courts. Still, we all know that court orders will not stop someone from harming us if the person tries to do so.”

Sen. Sandra Williams, D-Cleveland, offered the latest Democrat-sponsored version earlier this session and even had a hearing on it in the Senate.

More than a year ago.

Necessary shield

Though journalists, like me, recoil at any attempt to shield information from public records, the address confidentiality measure seemed like a no-brainer – a low-cost way to prevent abusers from using voting rolls and other records to further stalk or harm their victims.

But the proposed law changes didn’t move until this session, when Republicans picked up the ball and, with support from Secretary of State Jon Husted, ran with it.

Here’s how it will work: Individuals who have been victims of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape or sexual battery will be able to apply to the secretary of state’s office for inclusion in the program.

The secretary of state then will provide a place for victims’ government-related mail to be collected without revealing their home addresses. Participants also will be issued identification numbers for use in requesting ballots and participating in elections.

Lawmakers finalized the legislation before leaving town for their summer recess. Kasich subsequently signed it into law.

“No Ohioan should ever have to choose between their personal liberties, like exercising their right to vote, or their personal safety,” Husted said afterward, in a released statement. “Thanks to the support of Gov. Kasich and our legislative leaders that will no longer be an issue. Through the Safe at Home program, established under HB 359, the addresses of survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking and other crimes will now be shielded from public record.”

He added, “I appreciate members of the general assembly and the governor standing with me on this issue and the work done to ensure that every Ohioan can participate in our democracy without fear.”

Seems like a common sense way to handle the issue.

But, again, the question remains: Why did it take so long?

Marc Kovac is The Vindicator’s Statehouse correspondent. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.