COLUMBUS – Programs to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are getting the lion’s share of $51 million being handed out to organizations across Ohio.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office is awarding the federal funds to 307 crime victim service providers as part of a campaign to help crime victims, he announced this week.
That includes $15 million for services to domestic violence victims and more than $9 million to serve victims, DeWine said.
Another $10 million will go to prosecutor-based programs and additional funds will help agencies that serve at-risk youth, human trafficking victims, court appointed special advocates and child advocacy centers.
The money was made available due to a dramatic increase in U.S. Justice Department funds provided through the Victims of Crime Act. Ohio’s share jumped from $16 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year to $69.9 million in 2015-216, said DeWine.
Through his Expanding Services and Empowering Victims Initiative, DeWine determined which agencies would receive funding. They include:
Statewide Rape Crisis Hotline: $1.2 million to the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio to develop and implement a 24-hour statewide sexual violence hotline to serve survivors of sexual and relationship violence across the state.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Grants: $580,465 to Mount Carmel Medical Center and four other hospital systems to increase the number of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, who are trained to conduct sexual assault exams, support victims during the sexual assault exam process, and testify in court if needed.
Unattended/Unattached Youth Collaborative Grants: $224,349 to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, Ohio State University Star House and two other programs to help young people who are at-risk to become victims of human trafficking, to address past victimization and prevent future victimization in order to stop the cycle of violence.
Click here for a complete list.
DeWine says colleges and universities in the state will compete for $3 million to strengthen sexual assault advocacy programs.