Eighteen domestic violence fatalities, including a child, occurred in Franklin County in the past year. These lost lives were among the 109 domestic violence deaths statewide reported in the annual Ohio Domestic Violence Network Fatality Review Report, for July 2019 through June 2020. It marks a 35% increase in fatalities over the previous reporting period.
The ODVN report, released each October to coincide with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reflects the tragic toll this abuse has on our community and our state. These losses are far more than statistics. Four children died, including two 2-year-old girls, a six-year old boy and a 17-year old girl. Of the 109 fatalities, 71 were deceased victims and 38 were deceased perpetrators. In at least 27% of fatality cases, the victim of intimate partner violence had ended the relationship or was in the process of ending the relationship.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of physically and emotionally violent and coercive behaviors that one person uses to exercise power and control over another. Intimate partner violence happens when the abuse is used to gain power over an intimate partner.
The coronavirus pandemic may also be escalating incidents of domestic violence. The forced isolation of the state stay-at-home order last spring, coupled with anxiety about employment, housing and food for many, may mean more volatile home situations. Consider that in March, the Columbus Division of Police received 23% more domestic violence calls than the previous month. Tragically, a spike of three domestic homicides occurred around this time.
We stand with survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and sexual assault, each and every day, and honor the memory of lives lost to domestic violence. In recognition, Columbus City Hall was lit in purple this week for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
See the most recent ODVN Fatality Review Report here.
Resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and victims of domestic violence:
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
LSS CHOICES
The Center for Family Safety and Healing:
Call to Action Video from Commissioner and City Councilmember Shayla Favor
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Nine local agencies will partner to implement a domestic violence victim protection program after being awarded a federal grant of nearly $1 million. The funding announcement for the Blueprint for Safety Model was made in early October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The proven model, funded by a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Violence Against Women, is designed to increase safety for domestic violence victims and ensure access to justice through coordinated agency responses across the justice system.
These central Ohio agencies will collaborate to provide a consistent, coordinated response to protect domestic violence victims:
- Franklin County Commissioners’ Office of Justice Policy and Programs
- Franklin County Prosecutor, Special Victims Unit and Witness Assistance Unit
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office
- Columbus City Attorney, Domestic Violence and Stalking Unit
- Columbus Division of Police, Patrol and Domestic Violence Investigation Unit
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division
- Franklin County Municipal Court Pretrial and Probation Services
- CHOICES for Domestic Violence
- The Center for Family Safety and Healing
In Franklin County, 18 domestic violence fatalities occurred between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network reported. Statewide, 109 domestic violence fatalities were reported during that time period.
Learn more about the grant announcement and Blueprint for Safety model here.
Higher Eviction Rates Affect Columbus Communities Most at Risk from the Coronavirus
The heavy financial stress brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women and especially women of color. Many have lost wages or time at work after contracting the coronavirus. They struggle, as a result, to pay the rent, cover their bills and feed their families.
An illuminating CNN story examines how neighborhoods in Columbus and 13 other U.S. cities that are at risk for health complications from COVID-19 are also at risk for higher eviction rates.
Data that CNN analyzed depicts the disparity. The story explains, “In Columbus, for example, only about 21% of renter-occupied housing units are in neighborhoods with the highest rates of COVID-exacerbating conditions. But 37% of the evictions filed since March 15 were for families living in those neighborhoods.”
See the CNN story here.
Click here for a Rental Assistance Resource Document created by the Housing Stabilization Coalition.
Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Paul Herbert presided over his last day of CATCH Court on October 1, leaving behind an indelible mark on the lives of local victims of human trafficking.
Judge Herbert envisioned the idea for CATCH Court — Changing Actions to Change Habits — more than 10 years ago and presided over it from the start. Through an intensive two-year diversion program of counseling and treatment, CATCH Court has helped dozens of women in our community reclaim their lives from human trafficking, abuse and addiction.
CATCH Court has created greater awareness of and advocacy for victims of human trafficking, locally and nationally. Judge Herbert’s commitment to helping them get a fresh start is supportive of the Columbus Women’s Commission focus on providing workforce development opportunities for women to gain equitable employment and financial security.
“The Columbus Women’s Commission is incredibly grateful to Judge Herbert for the remarkable impact he has had in lifting up women who have survived human trafficking. He has been a valued partner and helped so many women grow beyond addictions, criminal records and lack of job skills to lead healthy, self-sufficient lives,” said Shelly Beiting, Commission Executive Director.
Among the highlights of Judge Herbert’s partnership with the Commission was his idea to present an uplifting concert in June 2019 for nearly 1,000 survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence and abuse — celebrating their strength and resiliency. It featured Grammy-nominated artist Janiva Magness, a survivor of extreme trauma.
View Judge Herbert’s emotional farewell and the heartfelt thank you’s from CATCH Court graduates here.
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Although women typically don’t think of construction and related trades as a viable career path, the Columbus Women’s Commission continues to build a pipeline to these jobs that offer a livable wage and equitable work policies.
The commission’s focus on workforce development is educating women and minorities about trade career opportunities to help them attain economic security. This focus is getting a big lift from our partners Christine Marsey and Jill White Connor, co-founders of Central Ohio Women in the Trades (COWIT). Their nonprofit is recruiting and educating women for the construction trades.
We applaud their passion and leadership to advance this stable career path for women of all ages.
Read more about Christine and Jill and COWIT here.
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Columbus Recreation and Parks Department adapted its fall programming to better accommodate and serve children and students in the current remote learning environment. The department is partnering with Columbus City Schools to support the educational development of our city’s youth by offering Active Learning Sites at many community centers. Students can bring their computer – or access a computer if needed – to complete and get assistance with schoolwork. The department also offers Physical Activity Sites where kids can participate in structured activities to help them stay active.
The Active Learning Points are free – visit ColumbusRecParks.com for more information. Advance registration is required - register online or at your local community center.
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October 22, 9:30 am – 3 pm: Forward: Creating Feminist Futures celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Women’s Place at The Ohio State University and 100 years of women’s suffrage. Against the backdrop of upcoming elections, a global pandemic, and calls for racial justice, this symposium highlights the importance of women’s leadership and advocacy for equity. #TWPForward
Shannon Ginther, Columbus Women’s Commission Chair, will be participating in the 10 am panel on Women and Wellness: Health, Policy and Care.
Register for the symposium through this link. This symposium is being provided free by The Women’s Place.
Each year, Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) recognizes a diverse group of twelve women in the Central Ohio community who are high impact leaders within their organizations, support the leadership development of other women, give time, talent and resources to their community, and invest in the growth of women-owned businesses. Please join WELD at their November 5th, 7 pm-8 pm virtual calendar reception where they will celebrate the 2021 Women WELDing the Way®
Click here to register.
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The Women's Fund of Central Ohio courageously invests in organizations that advance economic empowerment and leadership opportunities for women and girls. As part of their annual grant-making, The Women’s Fund brings together a diverse community of grant readers to help inform their investments. Anyone residing in central Ohio who is high school-aged or older is encouraged to apply. The Women’s Fund is committed to an inclusive and diverse grant reading program that reflects central Ohio. Those chosen as grant readers are trained to review and score grant applications to ensure The Women’s Fund’s investments in the community are impactful.
Click here for more information to apply. Applications close November 9, 2020 at 5 PM.
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