‘Tina’s Law’ will save young lives

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12:54 PM Friday, December 18, 2009

Wednesday, Dec. 16, must have been a bittersweet but satisfying day for Jim and Elsa Croucher, the Butler County couple who has worked relentlessly to turn the 1992 murder of their daughter into something constructive.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate, by a 32-0 vote, passed legislation that has been dubbed “Tina’s Law” — named after the Crouchers’ daughter, Tina, who was shot to death, at age 18, by her abusive boyfriend who then killed himself. In the intervening years, the Crouchers began an organization called Citizens Against Domestic Violence — which pushed for the legislation — and have spoken to more than 70,000 students throughout this area about abusive teen relationships and how to stay safe. The nonprofit organization has also assisted dozens of victims and children with funds and living necessities, such as furniture, appliances and motel accommodations.

The measure that passed the Senate on Wednesday will require that school health classes provide lessons in dating violence prevention to students in the seventh through 12th grades. It originated in the Ohio House, where it was passed earlier this year, and where it now goes back for “finishing touches,” according to the Associated Press.

As we’ve reported here previously, another House bill — prompted by the 2007 shooting of a Cleveland teen by her ex-boyfriend — under consideration would allow juvenile courts to issue protection orders for minors involved in abusive dating relationships. Earlier this year, the state of Ohio was among 11 states receiving a failing grade from a national teen-violence prevention group called “Break The Cycle.” (Any state that does not allow for protection orders for teens automatically flunked.)

These measures are a strong indication that state lawmakers are finally taking seriously the tragedy of teenage dating abuse and violence — estimated to affect one of every three teen relationships — and the crusade that the Crouchers have been waging. Too many teens — 80 percent are girls — silently suffer through abusive relationships, often concealing them from their parents.

It’s our hope that the new legislation coming from Columbus will educate young people about unhealthy relationships and potential risks, and give them the legal tools to protect themselves when a romance turns ugly.

Monday, Dec. 21, will be the 17th anniversary of Tina Croucher’s death. The Christmas season undoubtedly has been a difficult time of year for Jim and Elsa Croucher since that terrible day in 1992. We hope the pending adoption of “Tina’s Law” eases the heartache during this holiday season. They are to be commended for having turned personal tragedy into action that will benefit generations of teenagers and young adults in Ohio.

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