‘Can’t do it alone’: Stories of Ohio domestic violence victims shared by state agency

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, local leaders are shedding light on the impact of these incidents when they turn deadly.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services presented the stories of 114 people who died as a result of a domestic violence incident from July 2023 to June 2024.

Fifteen of those victims were children.

“We want we want this number to be zero in Ohio that we really think we have to work together as a community to raise this issue. And so that those that are currently trapped in an abusive situation could reach out,” said Maria York, policy director with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.

The executive director of OCJS said these stories are why they continue to support local efforts against domestic violence.

“We can’t do it alone,” said OCJS Executive Director Nicole Dehner. “No single shelter can survive without the support and services that the agency, such as the domestic violence network or our federal funding partners provide.

“We do our best to make it as easy as possible for those funds to be utilized directly in the community.”

The OCJS has awarded local Dayton organizations more than $100,000 in grants to help support families affected by domestic violence. This grant money will fund shelter services, legal advocacy and other support.

“We think it’s critically important that people know, particularly in the legislature and elected officials understand both the severity and the frequency of the problem that we’re trying to address,” said Lisa DeGeeter, senior director for policy and prevention with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.

That is part of the nearly $4 million awarded statewide. to Ohio organizations. Across the state, 67 projects in 42 counties are included in the state’s effort to eradicate domestic violence.

Other projects funded by OCJS include the fatality report by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.

To connect with domestic violence support and resources, visit the Ohio Domestic Violence Network’s website .

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