COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Wednesday, the Ohio House passed House Bill 3, known as Aisha’s Law, named after a Shaker Heights teacher who was murdered by her ex-husband.
"This is a victory for survivors of domestic violence across the state,” said the bill co-sponsor, State Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights), on Wednesday.
Fraser was a Shaker Heights teacher killed in November 2018 by her ex-husband and the father of her children, Lance Mason, a former northeast Ohio judge and state legislator. Mason was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years.
Aisha’s Law would also expand the definition of aggravated murder to include previous domestic violence convictions. Police would be required to conduct lethality assessments to determine how much danger victims are in and connect them to services providing safety planning.
Before Fraser's death, Mason was suspended from practicing law after he attacked Fraser in front of their children as they were driving back from a family member’s funeral on Aug. 2, 2014, according to court documents. Mason was sentenced to two years in prison for that attack, but a judge released him after he served just nine months.
According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, 131 people in Ohio were killed in violence cases in the last year. Of those, at least 20 perpetrators had already been charged with or convicted of domestic violence prior to the deadly incident.
“I’m proud to sponsor such a comprehensive legislation to lift the voices of those too long undervalued or ignored. Nothing prepared me for the way Aisha’s story and the stories of other survivors have changed me. I am extraordinarily grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for overwhelmingly supporting this bill, bringing us closer to no longer being the only state without a strangulation law. Aisha’s Law will strengthen protections for survivors and provide a way out for those who are in the most deadly situations. We are one step closer to honoring Aisha’s life and light, and so many others with today’s House passage,” Boyd said in a news release.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR PEOPLE AT RISK:
- NATIONAL HOTLINE
- If you are in immediate need of assistance for domestic violence and it is outside of business hours, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or live chat at https://www.thehotline.org/#. https://www.odvn.org/find-help/ https://www.ywcacincinnati.org/our-programs/violenceprevention-and-intervention/
- If you are in immediate need of assistance for domestic violence and it is outside of business hours, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or live chat at https://www.thehotline.org/#. https://www.odvn.org/find-help/ https://www.ywcacincinnati.org/our-programs/violenceprevention-and-intervention/
- HAMILTON COUNTY 24-hour YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Hotline
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Hamilton County 24 hours a day. LOCAL: 513-872-9259
TOLL FREE: 888-872-9259
TEXT: 513-436-3606
CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Hamilton County 24 hours a day. LOCAL: 513-872-9259
TOLL FREE: 888-872-9259
TEXT: 513-436-3606
CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
- CLERMONT, BROWN, ADAMS COUNTIES 24-hour House of Peace Hotline
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Clermont, Brown and Adams counties 24 hours a day.
- LOCAL: 513-753-7281
- TOLL FREE: 800-540-4764
- TEXT: 513-436-3606
- CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
- Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Clermont, Brown and Adams counties 24 hours a day.
- BUTLER COUNTY YWCA Hamilton
- https://www.ywcahamilton.com/domestic-violence
- Domestic Violence - Dove House Shelter 24-hour crisis line: 1-800-618-6523
- Dove House is Butler County’s protective shelter for victims of domestic violence. Services include: -24-hour staffed shelter -Child Advocacy -Complete confidentiality -Support and educational groups
- WARREN COUNTY
- Abuse and Rape Crisis Shelter https://arcshelter.com/
- If you are in an emergency situation, call 9-1-1. If you need immediate assistance, call our 24/7 Crisis Hotline 1-888-860-4084
- CLINTON AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES
- Alternatives to Violence Center Hillsboro 888-816-1146
- Alternatives to Violence Center Hillsboro 888-816-1146
- KENTUCKY PROGRAMS AFFILIATED WITH KENTUCKY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- https://kcadv.org/get-help-now/member-programs
- The Ion Center for Violence Prevention https://ioncenter.org/
- 24-HOUR HOTLINE: Call or text whenever you need help or just have questions.
- Northern Kentucky: (859) 491-3335 Buffalo Trace: (606) 564-6708
- INDIANA PROGRAMS AFFILIATED WITH INDIANA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- https://icadvinc.org/domestic-violence-programs/
- https://safepassageinc.org/ 2
- 4/7 Toll-Free Helpline 1-877-733-1990 Domestic Violence: 1-812-933-1990 Sexual Assault: 1-812-932-SAFE (7233)
- UNION COUNTY: https://sites.google.com/genesisrichmond.org/genesisrichmond-org/home Contact us 24/7 at (765) 966-SAFE. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
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