Funding for help needed as domestic violence calls rise
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly a year ago, the LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence services hotline has also seen a 16% increase in the number of high danger calls from law enforcement, which means there is a high likelihood the victim might be seriously harmed or killed by their abuser.
We have seen many victims delay seeking assistance until there is police involvement or their injuries are severe, and the demand for shelter and community-based services has been great. Last year, we were forced to place 114 survivors and their children, who needed shelter but were not in imminent danger, on a waitlist when we were over capacity.
In this most critical of times, LSS CHOICES must walk with insecure footing, trimming our budgets due to a nearly 36% cut in federal funding from the Victims of Crime Act grant.
Overall, VOCA grants to domestic violence programs in Ohio were cut by $7.7 million in October.
The state Attorney General’s Office, which distributes the VOCA funding, has warned of another cut this year up to 30%. This will result in a decrease in CHOICES services available to clients.
It was a hopeful sign when in 2019 Ohio became one of 33 states to provide support for domestic violence programs. The $1 million budget annual allocation provided grants of $17,800 to 47 residential programs that year and 69 grants of $12,000 in 2020.
CHOICES greatly appreciated the funding, which helped offset the close to $170,000 VOCA cut. But it is simply not enough support for our program that last year received 4,057 hotline calls and helped nearly 1,800 victims go to court, find housing, get counseling and take other steps to rebuild their lives.
Domestic violence programs, including CHOICES, need a more robust, stable funding source to count on every year. In fiscal year 2022, domestic violence programs need a $5 million annual line item in the State of Ohio budget.
This would bring Ohio’s support for domestic violence programs closer in line with other states. Among the 33 states that provide domestic violence service support, Ohio’s support is lowest on a per capita basis. Compared with surrounding states, Ohio spends 9 cents per capita, while Michigan spends $1, West Virginia $1.40, Pennsylvania $1.49 and Kentucky $1.50.
Meanwhile, the need for emergency shelter and support services for Ohio families struggling with domestic violence is greater now than ever before. In the past five years, 23 children and seven law enforcement officials were killed by abusers. Domestic violence fatalities in Ohio increased by 35% from July 2019 through June 2020, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network’s annual count, and preliminary data shows domestic violence homicides continue to rise countrywide.
More than half of Ohio’s programs reported increases in the number of survivors seeking shelter, calls to the hotline or other requests for services in 2020 compared with 2019. More than half (58%) of programs, including CHOICES, noted an increase in the severity of violence and injuries reported, including an alarming increase in strangulation.
Ohio’s elected and executive branch officials must be prepared to fully support domestic violence programs by supporting an increase in the survivor services budget line item from $1 million to $5 million.
Victims in life-or-death situations depend on us when they are in crisis. Ohio’s domestic violence programs and communities are relying on legislative support to keep families safe.
Sue Villilo is assistant vice president of CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to confirm Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to serve as President Joe Biden’s commerce secretary and help guide the economy’s recovery during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The vote was 84-15. Raimondo, 49, was the first woman elected governor of Rhode Island and is serving her second term. She is a Rhodes Scholar and a graduate of Yale Law School who went on to become a venture capitalist before turning to politics. Raimondo will be responsible for promoting the nation’s economic growth domestically and overseas. Republican opposition to her confirmation focused on concerns that she would not be forceful enough in confronting the Chinese government’s efforts to gain an economic and technological edge through espionage.
The Commerce Department comprises a dozen bureaus and agencies.
Associated Press
An Israeli soldier mans a M109 self-propelled howitzer during a drill near Kibbutz Merom Golan in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Tuesday.