OHIO ALLIANCE TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE

OAESV PROVIDES STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN OHIO. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE DELIVERING TRAINING AND CONSULTATION TO RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IMPROVE SURVIVOR SERVICES, ENHANCE PREVENTION EFFORTS, AND STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY. WE ENGAGED IN LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY INITIATIVES TO EXPAND RESOURCES, STRENGTHEN SURVIVOR PROTECTIONS, AND SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY THAT AFFECTS VICTIMS OF THE CRIME OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. WE COORDINATED A PANEL OF QUALIFIED ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE SURVIVORS WITH REDUCED-RATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, INCREASING ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND ENSURING INFORMED DECISION-MAKING. OAESV ALSO DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED STATEWIDE CAMPAIGNS AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES TO INCREASE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, CHALLENGE HARMFUL NORMS, AND PROMOTE HEALTHY, RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS.VOCA IS A FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF CRIME, INCLUDING VICTIMS OF THE CRIME OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. OAESV USES VOCA FUNDS TO OPERATE A STATEWIDE PANEL OF QUALIFIED ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS AT REDUCED OR NO COST, ENSURING GREATER ACCESS TO JUSTICE. FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT OAESV'S STATEWIDE ADVOCACY TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR RAPE CRISIS CENTER STAFF AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS, BUILDING THEIR SKILLS TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO SURVIVORS. ADDITIONALLY, VOCA RESOURCES SUSTAIN THE OPERATION OF OAESV'S STATEWIDE RESOURCE LINE, WHICH PROVIDES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, REFERRAL, AND CONNECTION TO SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS AND THOSE SEEKING ASSISTANCE ON THEIR BEHALF. TOTAL VOCA EXPENDITURES: $317,861.

FVPSASA (FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES ACT SEXUAL ASSAULT, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES) - SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES DURING COVID. (FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES ACT) THIS PROGRAM SUPPORT TO ALL OHIO RAPE CRISIS CENTERS FOR COVID SUPPLIES AND SELF CARE. IN ADDITION IT PROVIDED TEMPORARY HOUSING VIA HOTEL STAYS FOR SURVIVORS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR RETENTION PURPOSES.THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THAT SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS RECEIVED FVPSASA FUNDING THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) VIA THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES. THE FUNDING RECOGNIZED THAT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE WERE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PARTICULARLY WITH HOUSING INSTABILITY AND ACCESS TO SAFE, ESSENTIAL SERVICES. OAESV USED THESE FUNDS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, SUPPLY PROGRAMS WITH TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN VIRTUAL AND HYBRID SERVICE DELIVERY, AND OFFER MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS STIPENDS TO RETAIN STAFF DURING A PERIOD OF HIGH STRESS. FUNDS ALSO SUPPORTED THE PURCHASE OF COVID-19 SAFETY SUPPLIES, TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR SURVIVORS THROUGH HOTEL STAYS, AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ASSISTANCE TO HELP PROGRAMS SUSTAIN SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC. TOTAL FVPSASA EXPENDITURES: $302,608.