Utah Gets 'F' on Domestic Violence Laws

Feb 07, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

Group Says They Don't Protect Teenagers

(KCPW News) Utah gets an F for not protecting teenagers from domestic violence, according to a new report card from an organization called Break the Cycle. Under Utah law, victims can't get restraining orders against their abusers unless they've lived with them, were married to them, or are pregnant.

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says he doesn't know about the F rating, but agrees the system needs to be doing a lot more. He's supporting a bill sponsored by House Minority Whip David Litvack that would allow a victim who's at least 16 years old to get a restraining order against an abuser, so long as the two were in a dating relationship. The bill did not make it through the legislature last year, but Shurtleff expects it will this time.

Shurtleff says he's committed to raising awareness of domestic violence resources in Utah. Yesterday, in a breakfast at the Governor's Mansion, the Attorney General awarded two high schools for creating public service announcements about domestic violence. This week is National Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW