COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are currently no legal avenues for protecting teenagers who are fighting domestic abuse.
Attorney General Richard Cordray and other state legislators announced Tuesday two house bills that will offer legal protection from dating and domestic abuse, NBC 4's Lauren Diedrich reported.
"I know how this feels. I know how bad it is and how strong I have to be to accomplish what I'm doing," said Johanna Orozco, a domestic violence victim.
Nearly two years ago, Orozco, 18, was shot in the face by her boyfriend.
"I wouldn't want this to happen to anybody because it's terrifying not only to me but to my family," she said.
Orozco is supporting the change in Ohio law that could've prevented what happened to her.
Cordray and other state legislators announced the proposal of House Bills 10 and 19.
HB 10 is being proposed again -- after it died in the senate last year. It allows juvenile court judges to issue protection orders against those under 18 years old.
Currently, those types of orders don't exist.
The other bill would require school districts to adopt dating abuse policies and education in the classroom.
But, critics of the bills said it won't have the teeth to prevent such a crime and that it blurs the line of the definition of domestic abuse.
"We just think it's common sense. It's good for Ohio. Will it stop all such crimes? No. Nothing does. But will it help? We feel certain it will," Cordray said.
The bills are currently in hearings but still must be voted on by the Senate.
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