NEWS FLASH

Topeka, Kansas Repeals Domestic Violence Law | In a disheartening turn of events, the City Council of Topeka, Kansas, voted 7 to 3 yesterday to repeal the local law that makes domestic violence a crime. As ThinkProgress previously reported, decriminalizing domestic violence has been deemed a cost-cutting measure as the City Council and district attorney have both been unwilling to foot the bill to prosecute abuse cases. Several victims of domestic violence spoke against the proposal at the Tuesday meeting. “It is your responsibility to protect these people, and you’re failing,” one said. According to the New York Times, 18 people have been arrested on domestic violence charges since September and released without charges because no agency is taking responsibility for prosecuting new cases.