I had a conversation with Johanna Orozco in October of this year. Many of you may remember her story in 2007 when she was traumatically abused and assaulted by her ex-boyfriend and then days before the trial, he stalked her and shot her in the face. She survived - but with great pain and difficulty.
And do you know... she could not get a protection order against him because the state of Ohio does not allow it - as she was a minor. With a very outdated law, and the increase of teen dating violence, we need House Bill 247 to pass. This law could save lives - just as it does for adults! The bill would allow juvenile court to issue protection orders to teens in an abusive relationship. Unfortunately, for Johanna - she already bears the scars on her face, after multiple surgeries - and the deep wounds in her heart and soul.
My conversation with Johanna is striking. She said to me, "All I want for my birthday is for HB 247 to pass". When I was 18 years old, I think I wanted a sweater or earrings - or something very simple. It is tragic, yet very inspirational that this is her birthday wish. She is a very strong and amazing young woman. But this bill is not just about Johanna, it is named after another teen, Shynerra, in Ohio who died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend - and the many others who have died, been injured, or survived with emotional and physical wounds, like Johanna. Shynerra was beaten up by her boyfriend, thrown down the stairs, suffered a broken jaw, and yet Shynerra and her parents were turned away by the courts, saying she could not get a protection order as a minor. One year later, with no protection order, he killed her.
Currently, HB247 passed the House and is now in the senate.
We have a small window of opportunity to urge our senators - to schedule a hearing for HB 247- and to pass this bill by year end- for the health and safety of teens everywhere in Ohio. That window is NOW - the first 2 weeks in December while they are in session.
PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, AND FAMILY WHO LIVE IN OHIO - so we can blanket the legislators' offices with support - so much that they will make this a priority. This is why we need your help. Please write a letter, make a call, send an email asking them to schedule a hearing for HB 247. You will be a part of helping to save lives - literally.
It may be too late to give Johanna the birthday gift she wanted - but it is not too late to give it to her for the holidays!
Click HERE to view a list of Senators to contact.
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3 comments:
Thanks, Linda, for this information. I, too, have been very impressed with Johanna and her proactive response to the violence against her. This is an important bill and I will do everything I can to help get it passed.
Let us not forget the tragedy of Penny Chang of Shaker Heights several years ago. Her experience and ultimately her death at the hands of a stalker was motivation to help law makers enact stonger anti-stalking protection orders. These are such important issues that face our teenage girls. They need every bit of help we can get them.
Thank you, Linda, for helping to keep this bill in everyone's awareness.
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