More than 70 advocates gathered at the Riffe Center for Advocacy Day on March 23, 2023. Gov. DeWine included $20 million for domestic violence services in his proposed budget, but the legislature has the final say. Advocates met with 40 legislators to urge them to keep the funding in the budget, after hearing remarks from six of our legislative champions as well as Christa Hullaby, a survivor who told the crowd how Artemis Center in Dayton helped her escape her abuse.

At least 120 participants attended ODVN’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month press conference in the Capitol on October 11. At least 90 participants attended virtually. ODVN presented its annual Domestic Violence Fatality Report, which counted 112 total intimate partner related fatalities, the exact same number as the previous reporting year. The report also found that — for the second year in a row — more children in Ohio died than in any year since ODVN began counting. Twenty-two youth and children were killed, including 5 babies. Eighteen of the children were killed by either their parent or stepparent.

Guest speaker and survivor Paula D Walters who survived a nearly fatal strangulation in 2006 and suffered a traumatic brain injury, spoke about her 12-year struggle to her TBI diagnosed.

This year’s event honored four elected officials for their support of increased funding for domestic violence services in the 2024/25 state budget and other legislative reforms. Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost received the Croucher Family Award for Outstanding Leadership. Sen. Nathan Manning and Minority Leader Allison Russo received Leadership in Policy Awards.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recording