Attorney General DeWine Awards Nearly $1 Million in Rape Crisis Program Grant Funding

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that he has awarded 25 rape crisis centers in Ohio with a total of nearly $1 million in new grant funding.  

"This is the first time that money from Ohio's new Rape Crisis Program Trust Fund is being used, so these are additional resources that can now go towards helping survivors of sexual assault," said Attorney General DeWine.  "The funds will help strengthen and expand upon the services and support these agencies currently provide, which are essential in the recovery process after a traumatic assault."

The following 23 agencies, which meet all core services as defined by the Core Standards for Rape Crisis Programs in Ohio, will each receive a grant $36,789 to be used to help sexual assault survivors: 

• Women Helping Women, Cincinnati       
• Ohio University, Athens
• Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Ashland
• YWCA of Northwest Ohio, Toledo
• Liberty Center Connections/Every Woman's House, Wooster
• Tri-County Help Center, St. Clairsville
• The SAAFE Center/Behavioral Connections, Bowling Green
• Council on Domestic Violence/Open Arms, Findlay
• The Rape Crisis Center of Medina & Summit Counties, Akron
• Crime Victim Services, Lima
• Townhall II, Kent
• Project Woman, Springfield
• OhioHealth Research Institute/SARNCO, Columbus
• The Nord Center/Lorain County Rape Crisis Center, Lorain
• Lake County Prosecutor, Painesville
• HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Delaware
• Haven of Hope, Cambridge
• EVE Incorporated, Marietta
• The Domestic Violence Shelter, Mansfield
• COMPASS, New Philadelphia
• Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Cleveland
• American Red Cross, Canton
• Abuse and Rape Crisis Shelter of Warren County, Lebanon

One program, which meets some, but not all of the core services, will receive an expansion grant in the amount of $8,842 to assist with implementing new services:

• Erie County Prosecutor, Sandusky

In addition, one statewide training grant, which is available only to agencies that are federally-recognized statewide sexual assault coalitions, was awarded in the amount of $95,000:

• Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Cleveland 

Ohio's Rape Crisis Program Trust Fund was established as part of House Bill 108, which was sponsored by state representatives Nan Baker (R-Westlake) and Kirk Schuring (R-Canton).  The bill was amended into Ohio's 2014-2015 operating budget.  The Ohio Attorney General's Office administers the fund. 

Febraury 14 is V-Day: A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls Worldwide

Join the V-Day movement on February 14 to end violence against women and girls worldwide.  For more information visit http://www.vday.org or http://onebillionrising.org

February: Teen Dating Violence & Prevention Month

During the month of February, the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.  

 

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month brings national focus to the issue of teen dating violence, highlights the need to educate youth about healthy relationships, raises awareness among those who care for them and provides communities with a critical opportunity to work together to prevent this devastating cycle of abuse.

The Ohio Family Violence Prevention Center (FVPC), housed at OCJS, serves as an information clearinghouse for public and private organizations as they provide assistance to victims and offers a variety of services such as providing victim advocacy/assistance, organizing workshops, giving presentations and conducting research on family violence and its impact on communities.  The Ohio Family Violence Prevention Advisory Council, a part of the Center, is where Ohio’s top experts in domestic and family violence prevention come together to consider and recommend improvements in the state.  Most recently, the Council, along with other lead agencies in the state, provided guidance and assistance for HB 19, the Tina Croucher Act, which requires schools to adopt policies to prevent and address abusive relationships.

               
The Purpose
The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore - the issue affects not just youth but their families, schools and communities as well. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) brings national focus to the issue of teen dating violence, highlights the need to educate our youth about healthy relationships, raises awareness among those who care for them and provides communities with a critical opportunity to work together to prevent this devastating cycle of abuse.

 

The History of TDVAM
The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative was spearheaded by teenagers across the nation who chose to take a stand and put a stop to teen dating violence. In 2005, the importance of addressing teen dating violence was highlighted by its inclusion in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Now supported by dozens of national, state and local organizations, the call to end teen dating violence was formally recognized by Congress in 2006. At that time, both Houses of Congress declared the first full week in February "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week."

For the third consecutive year, our leaders in Congress are dedicating an entire month to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. To celebrate, we are calling upon government representatives and agencies, public officials, advocates, service providers, schools, parents and youth to take part in programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of teen dating violence.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

January is National Stalking Awareness Month.  Check out the Stalking Resource Center's website for information about criminal and civil stalking laws by state, as well as federal stalking laws, tribal codes, and the uniform code of military justice.

 http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center/stalking-laws

 

 

Presidential Proclamation: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 30, 2013

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, 2013

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) nearly 20 years ago, our Nation's response to domestic violence has greatly improved. What was too often seen as a private matter best hidden behind closed doors is now an established issue of national concern. We have changed our laws, transformed our culture, and improved support services for survivors. We have seen a significant drop in domestic violence homicides and improved training for police, prosecutors, and advocates. Yet we must do more to provide protection and justice for survivors and to prevent violence from occurring. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we stand with domestic abuse survivors, celebrate our Nation's progress in combatting these despicable crimes, and resolve to carry on until domestic violence is no more.

Although we have made substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, one in four women and one in seven men in the United States still suffer serious physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner at least once during their lifetimes. Every day, three women lose their lives in this country as a result of domestic violence. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes.

My Administration remains devoted to halting this devastating violence. To lead by example, last year I directed Federal agencies to develop policies to assist victims of domestic violence in the Federal workforce. Earlier this year, Vice President Biden announced new grants for initiatives that aim to reduce domestic violence homicides across our country.

This past spring, I signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. The Act provides law enforcement with better resources to investigate cases of rape, gives colleges more tools to educate students about dating violence and sexual assault, and empowers tribal courts to prosecute those who commit domestic violence on tribal lands, regardless of whether the aggressor is a member of the tribe. In addition, VAWA will continue to allow relief for immigrant victims of domestic violence, and LGBT victims will receive care and assistance.

Thanks to the landmark Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and new health plans must cover domestic violence screening and counseling with no copayments or cost sharing. Millions will have the chance to sign up for affordable care through the new Health Insurance Marketplace by visiting www.HealthCare.gov beginning October 1.

Ending violence in the home is a national imperative that requires vigilance and dedication from every sector of our society. We must continue to stand alongside advocates, victim service providers, law enforcement, and our criminal justice system as they hold offenders accountable and provide care and support to survivors. But our efforts must extend beyond the criminal justice system to include housing and economic advocacy for survivors. We must work with young people to stop violence before it starts. We must also reach out to friends and loved ones who have suffered from domestic violence, and we must tell them they are not alone. I encourage victims, their loved ones, and concerned citizens to learn more by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, or by visiting www.TheHotline.org.

This October, let us honor National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by promoting peace in our own families, homes, and communities. Let us renew our commitment to end domestic violence -- in every city, every town, and every corner of America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2013 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

Charity Golf Classic to Benefit Open Arms

Bodie Electric, Inc. and LaRiche Toyota-Subaru have announced plans for the 2013 Charity Golf Classic, scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2013.  This year’s event will be held at Red Hawk Run Golf Club in Findlay.  Registration and breakfast begin at 8:00 AM with a shotgun start scheduled for 9:00 AM.  Proceeds from the annual golf outing will benefit Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services. 

Team registration is currently taking place and will be limited to 27 foursomes.  Registration costs include breakfast, green fees, cart, lunch and door prizes.  The LaRiche Family of Dealerships is offering two Hole in One contests, featuring a $15,000 prize in cash or credit toward a new car.  Deadline for registration is August 30.  Opportunities are available for Hole Sponsorships and the donation of raffle prizes for the event.  To register a team or for more information regarding becoming an event sponsor, please contact Bodie Electric, Inc. at 419.435.3672.

Ohio Makes Strides with House Bill 108

For the first time in Ohio's history a $1 million appropriation for rape crisis centers has  been included in Ohio's state budget for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.  

High profile cases in Ohio and across the nation have shown the critical need for rape crisis centers that  provide compassionate support for survivors of sexual violence and work to prevent sexual assault before it happens.  

HB 108 includes:

Adding a rape crisis representative to the State Victims Assistance Advisory Council.

• Requires each person who registers as a sex offender or child-victim offender to pay a one-time $100 fee, and authorizes an additional fine for the commission of a sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense.
• Creates a General Revenue Fund appropriation line item for Rape Crisis Centers, with an appropriation of $1 million in each fiscal year.

In 2012, Open Arms served 513 individuals through our rape crisis program including emergency room accompaniment, legal assistance, individual support, crisis calls, and prevention presentations in the community.