You might find yourself in Ohio for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or to cheer on the Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena but there’s another fun thing you might want to do the next time you visit: rape your spouse and legally get away with it.

Yes. You read that correctly. Despite the fact that we are in 2017, there is still a state that does not punish spouses who commit marital rape in certain circumstances

The Ohio Revised Code defines marital rape as illegal and it is punishable as a felony. The definition of rape states that the act occurs when a defendant compels a spouse to engage in sexual intercourse against the victim’s will by “force, threat of force, or deception.” However, certain circumstances are exempt from this as seen in cases where spouses are drugged and then subject to sexual assault or intercourse.

State Rep. Greta Johnson, D-Akron, a former assistant prosecutor in Summit County, saw an issue and sought out change by introducing House Bill 97. This bill seeks to remove the exemption of marital privilege from all rape statues as well as many subsections. Ohio is one of eight states with such exemptions within rape legislature.

Supporters of the exemptions claim that House Bill 97 will create an opportunity for more false claims and find hope in the fact that a similar proposed bill did not pass two years ago.

However, Johnson continues to fight an uphill battle and is optimistic as less than a month ago, the Ohio House voted 92-2 in favor of a bill that updated domestic violence laws to allow victims of dating violence to obtain civil protection orders against their attackers.

Something that is truly shocking is the fact that not a single Republican signed on as a co-sponsor to the bill. Partisan affiliation has interfered with the rights of women and men experiencing sexual violence at the hands of their spouses. To hear that such antiquated laws are still in effect as well as have a lot of backing is disheartening. Women are forced to see their rapists roam free because of exemptions such as this which causes serious trauma and unimaginable mental stress. What’s even more unfortunate is that State Representative Greta Johnson’s commitment to this legislation will end this month as she is resigning from her position as state representative in favor of a local position. One can only hope that her leave will not lessen the already sparse discussion about this issue.

Signing off,
Joanne