Dating-violence legislation in works

At first glance, no one would think bright, beautiful, productive Heidi Searle, with her loving family background, could ever end up in a destructive relationship.

But Searle, now 22, says her teen dating years were marked by emotional and sexual abuse by a boyfriend who essentially took over her life and convinced her she was worthless.

Although he didn't hit her, "He would just make me do things I didn't want to do," Searle said. "I didn't realize it was a bad relationship. It got to the point where all my relationships with other people were nothing. I didn't put any time into anyone but him. My whole world was him."

Happily for Searle, she did manage to get out.

Utah recently got an F grade from Break the Cycle, a national teen-violence prevention group, because Utah and 10 other states do not have laws that permit teens to get court protective orders on their own when stuck in damaging dating relationships.

Utah Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, said he plans to introduce new legislation to change that even though other similar bills died in three previous legislative sessions. The bills addressed violent behavior in dating and would allow someone 16 or older to get a protective order without having to consult parents in order to keep someone they fear away from them.

The person named in the order would get a hearing before a judge where he or she could contest what the accuser said. The judge could then decide whether to keep the order in place or dismiss it.

Litvack did not sponsor a dating-violence bill this past session primarily because of the current economy. He said he was concerned about requiring courts to implement a new program at the same time legislators were slashing spending.

However, he hasn't given up and promises a new bill will emerge in the future.

"I am very passionate and committed to this issue so, whether it is myself or someone else, there is no doubt it will be brought up again," Litvack said.

Opponents of such laws believe parents should be part of any court action involving their minor children. They also fear that immature teens might seek fraudulent court orders against boyfriends or girlfriends due to a mere spat or break-up. There also have been concerns that teens accused of violent behavior might end up with court records that could follow them into their adult lives, possibly interfering with such things as school extra-curricular activities, hunting or gun ownership.