New protections for men and women in “significant” dating relationships are making their way through the legislature. Today, “no contact” orders can be obtained when there’s abuse in a marriage, when a couple has a child together or when the couple’s living together. A bill that’s cleared the Senate would allow “no contact” orders when a serious dating relationship becomes abusive. Senator Maggie Tinsman of Bettendorf says young women often have nowhere to turn when their boyfriend starts hitting ’em. She says the National Center for Victims of Crime report, one of every three students in high school and college has experienced sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional violence in a dating relationship.A report by the U-S Justice Department indicates more than 40 percent of domestic violence occurs between young people between the ages of 16 and 24. The bill must clear the Iowa House, too, before it becomes law.
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