Ohio’s new law targets adult grooming of minors, aiming to protect children from exploitation.
Columbus: Last week, Ohio’s governor signed House Bill 322, making social grooming illegal. This law will take effect in three months. Grooming is when an adult builds a relationship with a minor to prepare them for sexual activity.
The law aims to close a gap in the current criminal code. Right now, there aren’t clear laws to prosecute adults for grooming, even if their intentions are obvious. Paul Dobson, a Wood County Prosecuting Attorney, explained that grooming turns a victim into someone who feels compliant. It’s a way for predators to make inappropriate behavior seem normal.
Dobson hopes this law will help law enforcement step in before things escalate. The new law says that adults over 18 can’t engage in certain behaviors with minors under 16, especially if it seems like they’re trying to entice or coerce them into sexual activity.
If someone breaks this law, they could face misdemeanor charges. If the adult has a responsibility for the minor, like being a parent or teacher, it could lead to felony charges. Rebecca Surendorff, from Ohioans for Child Protection, supports the bill, saying it will help keep kids safe.
Surendorff pointed out that kids are more accessible than ever, and this law gives police the tools they need to protect them. Rep. Cindy Abrams, who sponsored the bill, emphasized our duty to protect children and thanked everyone who helped push this important legislation forward.
