Ohio Expands Domestic Violence Protections For State Workers

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Governor Mike DeWine was flanked by Cleveland Heights State Rep. Janine Boyd on Wednesday for the signing of an executive order expanding domestic violence protections. The order strengthens guidance and rights for victims, by including intimate partner violence or dating violence in state agency directives and guidelines.

"I've seen the toll our domestic violence epidemic is taking on the families and children of our state,” said Boyd. “Too many families and loved ones have been forced to wonder whether more lives could have been protected, including the life of Aisha Fraser of my district. I am grateful I had the chance to support the work of Leader Sykes, and I am honored to stand with Governor DeWine today, in a combined effort to continue to expand protections for all victims of domestic violence.”

Aisha Fraser was a teacher in the Shaker Heights Schools who was killed in 2018. Her ex-husband, Lance Mason, has been accused of the murder.

The new state law updates the 2008 "Barbara Warner Workplace Domestic Violence Policy" and expands the definition of domestic violence to include victims of dating violence.

Governor DeWine's office notes this executive order requires all state agencies, boards and commissions to share lists of resources for survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence, to take appropriate actions when an employee is a victim of domestic violence, and to grant leave requests when needed. All state groups will also work with the Ohio Employee Assistance Program when considering corrective actions.

“It makes sense that survivors of dating violence should be afforded the same support and services as other domestic violence victims,” said DeWine. “Those working in state government can be confident that their workplace will be a supportive environment for all domestic violence victims.”

If a state employee is found to have committed, or threatens to commit, domestic violence while on state property, state agencies, boards and commissions must now take necessary corrective actions, including terminating that person's employment. State groups must also contact law enforcement should an incident occur.

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DeWine and Boyd were also joined by House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes, from Akron, who sponsored House Bill 1, a bill allowing victims of dating violence to obtain civil protective orders against their attackers. That bill was signed into law in 2018.

Many of the changes made to state policy by DeWine's executive order mirror Sykes' House Bill 1 legislation.

"Dating violence is domestic violence, and anything we can do to protect victims from their abusers will save lives,” said Sykes. “I’m encouraged by Governor DeWine’s executive order today to make protecting victims of dating violence a priority in our state.”

Photo from Emilia Strong Sykes' Office

Caption: From L to R: Rep. Janine Boyd, Gov. Mike DeWine, Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes)