The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously supported State Rep. Tony Cook’s (R-Cicero) legislation to help safeguard Hoosier victims of violent crimes like rape who often face harassment by their offender long after there’s been a conviction.
Cook
Cook said he authored House Bill 1137 after hearing the story of a woman from Noblesville who was raped in 2003 as a student at Butler University. After the offender was released from prison, the victim was forced to obtain a protective order because he repeatedly harassed her. In Indiana, protective orders expire every two years, and the victim and offender must appear before a judge before it can be renewed.
“This victim had to go back to court every two years to renew their protective order, which gave her attacker another chance to be with her and continue harassing her,” Cook said. “It’s not right to put this emotional burden on the victim of a violent crime. This legislation would put a stop to it by allowing victims like her to apply for a lifetime order against their attacker.”
Cook said HB 1137, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, would allow for a victim to request an indefinite protective order against their attacker if the person is listed as a lifetime sex or violent offender.
In 2020, there were 32,200 petitions for protection orders filed in Indiana courts. Currently, about 10,500 people are registered on Indiana’s sex and violent offender registry.
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.