ODVN supports legislation and policy initiatives that foster change in our economic, social, and political systems and are consistent with our mission to advance the principles that all people have the right to an oppression and violence-free life. ODVN does not support legislation or policy initiatives that jeopardize or complicate the path to safety for domestic violence victims or further marginalize survivors of any group.

For more information on ODVN’s policy work, please contact Lisa DeGeeter or Maria York.

Research Economist Joseph C. Von Nessen spoke to reporters at a press conference in February.

Economic Impact of Domestic Violence Costs Ohio over $1 Billion Annually

Study: Loss of Life, Impact on Victims, and Loss of Worker Productivity for Employers are biggest costs

Ohio experiences a significant economic loss every year because of intimate partner violence, according to a study commissioned by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). The cost — estimated at nearly $1.2 billion — affects all Ohioans, from the direct losses experienced by victims, to lost worker productivity, a cost born by employers.

The largest economic factors were physical health care for victims ($264.8 million annually, or 22.9% of the total cost); loss of life ($239.9 million, or 20.8%); and loss of worker productivity ($227.7 million, or 19.7%), according to a report released at a news conference February 24, 2025.

Those costs ripple out throughout the state with increased expenses for law enforcement and the judicial system; for incarcerating abusers; and for the long-term impact that domestic violence has on the children who witness the violence and are sometimes physically hurt themselves.

The research was conducted by Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D., an economist at the University of South Carolina, who has done similar work in North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin. The report includes data for each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

More than 130 Advocates Mobilized
for Advocacy Day 2024

More than 130 advocates including staff from at least 45 member programs gathered at the Riffe Center Wednesday for ODVN’s 2024 Advocacy Day. Advocates learned about pending bills and ways to communicate effectively with legislators. After the training they attended 65 meetings with legislators to discuss priority bills and thank them for including $20 million in the state budget for DV programs. Advocacy Day was made possible with support from the Longaberger Family Foundation.

October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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 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 youths and children were killed, including 5 babies. Eighteen of the children were killed by either their parents or stepparents.

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 with her TBI diagnosis.

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

Click here to learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.