A new report shows there were 112 domestic violence-related deaths in Ohio in a recent 12-month period, including 22 youth, the highest number in the past seven years.
Officials noted every domestic violence death is a tragedy, but advocates said data this year on youth fatalities is truly shocking. The Ohio Domestic Violence Network report on domestic violence-related fatalities reveals the highest number of youth fatalities since the count began seven years ago.
Lisa DeGeeter, director of Systems and Policy for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said there were 16 kids younger than age 10 and six infants in the total number of deceased people.
"Most of them, quite literally, babes in arms that were shot while the mothers were holding them," DeGeeter said. "The youngest victim was actually a one-day-old baby. The mom was eight and a half months pregnant and was shot in the abdomen. She was delivered before the mom passed, but the baby died of her own gunshot injuries the next day."
DeGeeter also expressed concern over the number of gun related fatalities that occurred over the last year, up 5% to 91%.
The fatalities tracked between July 2021 and June 2022 were compiled from media reports and information from the Domestic Violence Network's member programs.
DeGeeter acknowledged on a positive note, no law enforcement officers were killed during a domestic-violence incident for the second year in a row.
"We also know that in the three cases where law enforcement was required, unfortunately, to take an offender's life in responding to a situation," DeGeeter said. "All three of those victims survived. So we very much appreciate the partnership we have with law enforcement to keep people safer."
When it comes to policy, DeGeeter noted her group is a strong proponent of anti-strangulation legislation known as Aisha's law. She said Ohio is the only state in the nation without a felony-level anti-strangulation statute as a stand-alone offense.
"Nonfatal instances of strangulation are indicative of a sevenfold increase in potential later lethal violence," DeGeeter said. "And so that's really something that we would like to see happen in the next General Assembly."
The measure, House Bill 3, was passed by the Ohio House. The overall number of Ohio fatalities is down from last year when 131 fatalities were recorded, but the latest count is still higher than pre-pandemic numbers, according to anti-domestic violence advocates.
Disclosure: Ohio Domestic Violence Network contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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More than 100 Ohio advocates gathered this week to speak with lawmakers about policies affecting survivors of intimate-partner violence, including a bill which would make it a crime to place a tracking device on another person's property without their knowledge.
Sen. Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, the Senate Democratic leader sponsored the bill and explained the measure would make installing devices such as Apple AirTags for the purpose of stalking or tracking an individual without consent a first-degree misdemeanor.
"There's nothing in the law right now in Ohio, in the stalking part of the code anywhere, that really addresses using these tracking devices, because they're new technology," Antonio explained.
At least 26 states and the District of Columbia have already passed laws protecting privacy concerns raised by tracking technology, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Mary O'Doherty, executive director of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said it is important legislators hear directly from advocates who work with survivors every day. She pointed to House Bill 111, which recently passed the House and is now being considered by Senate lawmakers. The bill would increase the sentencing range for third-degree felony domestic violence offenses.
"We support that bill because we believe it will increase offender accountability and help victims be more safe," O'Doherty emphasized.
Last year, 112 Ohioans died because of domestic violence, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network's fatalities report.
Disclosure: The Ohio Domestic Violence Network contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and young people often find it hard to navigate experiences of harm.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2021, nearly 16% of Idaho youth surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence, higher than the national average of 11%.
D Dagondon Tiegs, bilingual social change associate for the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, said sexual violence is the result of imbalances in power.
"The tools that we have to prevent sexual violence within our communities is promoting communities that are welcoming of everyone, where everyone has what they need to be able to participate in their community, like school," Tiegs outlined. "So that they're not targeted and the power imbalance is mitigated."
Tiegs pointed out there are domestic and sexual violence programs across the state but more are needed, especially in rural communities. They also noted members of LGBTQIA+ communities and people of color are more likely to experience violence.
The rate of teen dating violence is likely much higher. Tiegs emphasized one of the biggest issues, especially when it comes to reporting, is young people don't feel heard.
"Young people are not likely to tell a trusted adult when they experience sexual violence," Tiegs explained. "They're more likely to tell a peer because adults dismiss the kind of dating violence that is happening with young people."
For someone who has experienced such of trauma, Tiegs stressed it is important to ask what they need and help the person reestablish their agency. They also added healing takes time.
"It's easy for us to be supportive at the beginning, but a consistent, ongoing supportive community and people who care about them because sexual violence and dating violence requires a long time to heal from," Tiegs concluded.
Disclosure: The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Early Childhood Education, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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As Kentuckians prepare for the Super Bowl this weekend, they can also help survivors of domestic violence.
At "Shop and Share," a one-day event this Saturday at Kroger, Food City and other regional grocers statewide, residents can shop for what they need and share a purchased item with their local domestic violence shelter.
Angela Yannelli, chief executive officer of ZeroV, explained while the primary focus is on safety, the group's 15 member domestic violence programs also promote survivor empowerment. She said donations of such essential items as toothbrushes and nonperishable foods are essential on the journey toward well-being and healing.
"Donations of things like cake mix, icing and decorations, for birthdays and other celebrations, bring joy into the lives of survivors who may not have been celebrated in many years, or for whom peace and joy may only come in glimpses," Yannelli observed.
Shoppers can donate at participating stores between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., although times vary by location. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can visit zerov.org/shopandshare to find the shopping lists and contact information for their local program.
Regional shelters in the Commonwealth have provided safe havens and resources for more than 10,000 women and 6,000 children.
Yannelli emphasized donations of small items have added up to make a huge difference.
"When you think about 'Shop and Share' collectively, it's raised more than $5 million since 2008," Yannelli pointed out. "And made a positive impact in the lives of thousands of survivors and their children."
Yannelli noted Shop and Share also offers parents an opportunity to talk with their adolescents about healthy relationships this month, for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
Disclosure: ZeroV contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Gun Violence Prevention, Housing/Homelessness, and Women's Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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