Ohio governor Mike DeWine recently allocated $900,000 in grants to fund sexual assault prevention, criminal accountability, and survivor support resources.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine recently allocated $900,000 in grants to fund sexual assault prevention, criminal accountability, and survivor support resources.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) awarded the funds in support of a program launched by DeWine in February. His Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program was created in order to aid with “costs associated with sexual assault investigations, criminal prosecution, and victim advocacy.”
Governor DeWine has worked closely with local law enforcement agencies to retrieve DNA analysis for previously untested rape kits.
“Those who commit sexual assault are among the worst of the worst, and we’re providing these resources not only to get predators off the streets but also to ensure that survivors have ongoing access to support,” said DeWine in a press release.
Initial funding will be allocated as follows:
$244,841 will be used by The Forensic Nursing Network to launch training programs on both drug-facilitated sexual assault kits and suspect kit collection. Some of these funds will support purchases of sexual assault kits used by forensic nurses.
$161,355 will fund a position at the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office. The position includes investigation of evidence from testing kits in child sexual assault cases.
$350,000 supports the Columbus Division of Police’s partnership with the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Together, they hope to analyze over 175 sexual assault kits and enter suspect DNA profiles into the national DNA database.
$100,000 will be utilized by the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center in their efforts to create a sexual assault kit training program and standard “best practices guide focused on the expanded rights of victims.”
$43,410 is intended for the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office to fund a survivor advocate position. Their goal is to maintain support for those who have experienced abuse, especially after the difficult process of a sexual assault kit examination.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services is expected to open applications for the next round of funding later this month.
Authors: Andy Goldwasser and Alexis Kabat
