The U.S. District Court in Cleveland recently upheld a law regulating sexually oriented businesses in Ohio.
Last year, the General Assembly passed the Community Defense Act, which sets hours of operation for sex shops and prohibits contact between patrons and dancers. Sex-shop owners challenged the law.
Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. said more than enough evidence was presented to show the negative effects of sexually oriented businesses on the community.
Phil Burress, president of Ohio's Citizens for Community Values, applauded Oliver's decision to protect families and communities.
"Residents have the right to be protected from the harmful effects of sexually oriented businesses in their neighborhood," he said. "The presence of unregulated peep booths, porn shops and strip joints presents a host of problems to the community, most from the increase in crime, in addition to causing urban decay. The courts have recognized this once again."
