It's Ok to Beat Your Partner To Death in Topeka!

Today, officials in Topeka, Kansas decriminalized domestic violence.

Yes, you read that right. It is no longer against the law to beat your partner in Topeka.

The move is actually intended to get someone to prosecute domestic violence cases in the city because, surprise surprise, no one seems to want to deal with these crimes.

Shawnee county district attorney Chad Taylor, citing recent budget cuts, decided to stop prosecuting domestic violence cases, in the hopes that the state would pick up the cases - and the costs. Last night, the city decided to up Taylor's bet and repeal the law against domestic violence.

City officials have told the Associated Press that this puts them in a better move to negotiate, and that they're excited to move forward.

What they shouldn't be excited about, however, is the fact that 18 abusers have been released from prison and 35 cases of domestic violence reported in September have now been dropped. People could die or be seriously injured while officials play a game of cat and mouse. And even if they're not, the stress of knowing that their abusers are free or that their cases have been dropped must be terrible for the women involved.

As Maya over at Feministing.com says, however this situation is ultimately resolved, the message to women is loud and clear: No one cares enough to prosecute your case or defend your rights as a human being. They're only going to do it if they're backed against the wall.