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Wednesday, Feb 27, 2013 10:08 PM UTC

N.H. GOPer: “A lot of people like being in abusive relationships”

State Rep. Mark Warden said that "people are always free to leave" abusive relationships VIDEO

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Topics: Video, New Hampshire, Republicans, domestic violence, Domestic abuse, Mark Warden,

N.H. GOPer: State Rep. Mark Warden, R-N.H. (Credit: Facebook/markwardenforstaterep)

During a debate in the New Hampshire statehouse about a bill to reduce the penalty for assault, Republican state Rep. Mark Warden argued that “people are always free to leave” abusive relationships.

“Some people could make the argument that a lot of people like being in abusive relationships,” Warden said, the Concord Monitor reports. “It’s a love-hate relationship. It’s very, very common for people to stick around with somebody that they love who also abuses him or her.”

Warden added during the hearing: ”Is the solution to those kind of dysfunctional relationships going to be more government, another law? I’d say no. People are always free to leave.”

The comments were made during a hearing of the state’s House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, on legislation that would reduce assault charges from a misdemeanor to a violation. The panel wound up recommending that the bill be killed.

In response to questions about his comments, Warden told the Monitor: ”I’m sure it was taken out of context, but that’s all Im going to say about it.”

Here’s the video, via  Granite State Progress:

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com. More Jillian Rayfield.

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