Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announces new efforts to provide services for sexual assault victims. The new initiative comes after a survey conducted by the Attorney General's Office, which began in May 2012, found that 52 of Ohio's counties do not offer comprehensive, direct services for sexual assault victims. According to the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, a county with comprehensive, direct services offers a 24-hour crisis hotline, criminal justice advocacy, hospital advocacy, community outreach, crisis intervention services, referral services, and agency collaboration. The Sexual Assault Services Expansion Program will provide grant funding for new regional sexual assault coordinators who will oversee the implementation of comprehensive, direct sexual assault services in all of Ohio's 88 counties over the next five years.
Participants:
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine
Representative Nan Baker (R-Westlake)
Representative Kirk Schuring (R-Canton)
Representatives from the victim services community