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The Croucher Family Award

The Croucher Family Award for Outstanding Leadership

In 2013, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network established the Croucher Family Award given each year to a person(s) who have shown outstanding advocacy and leadership.

ODVN created the award to honor Jim and Elsa Croucher of Monroe, Ohio who were pioneers in domestic violence education. The Crouchers were plunged into the world of domestic violence four days before Christmas in 1992 when their youngest child, 18-year-old Tina, was murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend. Determined to help save others from Tina’s fate, the Crouchers founded Citizens Against Domestic Violence in 1996 and created a Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program, “Dating Violence: 101”. The presentation was given to over 100,000 students. Nationally recognized speakers, the Crouchers furthered their efforts to educate the public about domestic violence with their efforts in the passage of the “Tina Croucher Act,” in 2009.  Named in memory of their daughter, the law requires Ohio students in grades 7 -12 to be provided education on dating violence, warning signs, and characteristics of healthy relationships.

The Croucher Family Award for Outstanding Leadership
2023 Award Recipients

Pictured: Bridget Mahoney (ODVN Former Board Chair), Senator Nathan Manning, Annette Chambers-Smith (Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction), Attorney General Dave Yost, House Minority Leader Allison Russo, and Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director)

ODVN honored Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost with its annual Croucher Family Award for Outstanding Leadership, for their commitment to getting $20 million in state line-item funding for domestic violence services in the state’s 2024-25 budget. 

Also honored were Ohio state Sen. Nathan Manning, a Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Manning, who represents the 13th Senate District, is a former prosecutor who brings a wealth of legal experience to his role and advocates especially for criminal justice reform issues, including advancing the legislation that established strangulation as a felony in Ohio.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo, a Democrat from Upper Arlington, was honored for her support of the increased funding and her long-standing work on legislative efforts to keep families safe.

The Croucher Family Award for Outstanding Leadership
Past Award Recipients

Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director), Bridget Mahoney (Award Recipient), and Donya Buchanan (ODVN Board of Director Chair)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2022

Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director), Bridget Mahoney (Award Recipient), and Donya Buchanan (ODVN Board of Director Chair)

Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director), Kimberly Stanley (Award Recipient), and Donya Buchanan (ODVN Board of Director Chair)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2022

Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director), Kimberly Stanley (Award Recipient), and Donya Buchanan (ODVN Board of Director Chair)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021

Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director) and State Representative Cindy Abrams (Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2020

Venica Miller (Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2019

Mary O’Doherty (ODVN Executive Director), Rep. Laura Lanese (Award Recipient) and Terri (Croucher) Evick

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2018

Robin Bozian (Award Recipient) and Ruth Downing (Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2017

Tammy Marinis (for Paul Mitchell the School Columbus, Award Recipient), Judge Jerry Ault (Award Recipient), and Dr. Stephanie Krah (for Central State University, Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2016

Pamela Hayman-Weaner (Award Recipient) and Debra Seltzer (Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2015

Nancy Neylon (ODVN Executive Director), Judge Ronald Adrine (Award Recipient), Andy Brady (for Verizon, Award Recipient) and Elsa Croucher

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2014

Alexandria Ruden (Award Recipient) and Mike Smalz (Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2014

Elsa Croucher, Bridget Mahoney (ODVN Board of Directors Chair), Mike Smalz (Award Recipient), Nancy Neylon (ODVN Executive Director), Alexandria Ruden (Award Recipient), Mary Hendrickson’s family members

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2013

Johanna Orozco-Fraser (Award Recipient)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2013

Elsa Croucher (Award Recipient), Julie Boak, Johanna Orozco-Fraser (Award Recipient), and Bridget Mahoney (ODVN Board of Director Chair)

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