Topeka Makes Domestic Violence Legal

So, this happened:

Facing Cuts, a City Repeals Its Domestic Violence Law (NY Times)

I came across this on Facebook last night, and my first reaction was to think, "Oh, The Onion, what will you crazy kids come up with next?"

But... no. This is real life. In the City of Topeka, Kansas, it is no longer a crime to commit domestic violence. Now, some may think this isn't a big deal--after all, the City certainly still has laws against assault on the books, right? Police can still arrest someone for beating an intimate partner under those laws, yes?

Unfortunately, the answer seems to be "yes and no". While general assault laws can be used to punish intimate partner violence, laws focused on domestic violence provide far better protection for victims. And then, there's this little gem from the article:

Eighteen people have been arrested on domestic violence charges since September and released without charges because no agency is accepting new cases.

I'm not sure what disgusts me more--the removal of this law from the books, or the finger-pointing over who is to blame for for this happening. It's like a Mexican Standoff of idiots making gun shapes with their fingers.

Dear City of Topeka: YOU'RE ALL TO BLAME. Quit playing politics and get back to work to rectify this.