For some people experiencing domestic violence, concern about the safety of their household pet can prevent them from leaving. In a survey of 2,500 domestic-violence survivors
, about half reported they feared the perpetrator would harm their pet. Nearly a third reported their pet had been harmed or killed.
Pat Carraher, managing attorney with Legal Aid of Nebraska, said as of September 1st, Nebraska law allows pets to be included in domestic-violence protection orders, and added the law should deter perpetrators from using pets as leverage, since violating a protection order is a crime.
"It's a Class I misdemeanor, and if you violate it twice, it gets bumped up to a felony. Up until now, a perpetrator of domestic violence could make a lot of threats about a household pet without really worrying about much criminal liability," Carraher explained.
Carraher said when an individual fills out the paperwork for a domestic-abuse protection order, they can check one box asking for possession of the household pet, and/or another requesting that the other party "be enjoined from harming" it. He says Legal Aid of Nebraska
puts "high priority" on representing victims of domestic violence, including in protection-order cases.
The Nebraska Humane Society's Project Pet Safe
will temporarily shelter domestic pets for people working with a caseworker in domestic-abuse situations. Pam Wiese with the Humane Society says they will help in other ways, too.
"While they're with us, we try to provide anything that we can, so if they need spaying and neutering, microchipping; if they need some type of medical (care) done, we work to try to get that pet into the best shape that it can be so that they can kind of start their new life on a good footing, " Wiese explained.
Wiese added some pet owners will realize they can't reunite with their pet, but Project Pet Safe provides them valuable time.
"Even if they feel that they can't take care of the pet moving forward, they are able to make that decision for themselves, and it's not forced upon them," Wiese said.
Some victims of domestic violence find they have to leave their pet behind, and Carraher said the new law is designed to help in those situations, too.
"If for some reason they can't take the pet with them, they might check that second box, knowing that they are going to leave the pet but that the perpetrator of domestic violence will be ordered not to harm the pet," Carraher continued.
As of 2022, 38 states had some provisions for adding pets to domestic-violence protection orders.
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Service providers and advocacy groups in Ohio and across the country are facing uncertainty following recent executive orders that have thrown federal funding for crisis services into question.
Taylr Ucker-Lauderman, chief engagement officer at the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said her organization relies on these funds to provide critical support to victims of sexual violence.
"These have become services and programs and entire organizations that communities in Ohio have come to depend on for decades," she said. "So we're talking about emergency life-saving services for people in our communities"
A national survey found that while 58% of local sexual-assault programs reported an increased demand for services, 40% reported a decrease in funding. This funding uncertainty is raising concerns about the potential strain on other community resources such as hospitals and emergency services.
Even with recent updates indicating that the memo on the federal funding freeze has been rescinded, Ohio service providers say the impact remains significant.
"Whether there is a federal funding freeze or it is rescinded, this still causes challenges for providing crisis services to survivors," she said. "Our time right now is focused on making Plan B or Plan C. This week the services are truly being impacted and interrupted."
Advocates have warned that funding instability, even if temporary, disrupts service continuity and creates long-term challenges for organizations that rely on these resources. While the memo reversal provides some relief, providers say they remain cautious about the broader implications for Ohioans who depend on these critical services.
Disclosure: Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Health Issues, Women's Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
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For crime survivors in Mississippi, the healing journey often begins with finding resources that can feel out of reach.
A $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice could make a difference as they rebuild their lives. The funds will ensure support for priority groups, including survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and underserved populations.
The Mississippi State Department of Health's Office Against Interpersonal Violence oversees the funds.
Cerissa Eubanks, grant administrator for the office, said they will focus on addressing barriers and providing critical support.
"To me, in my words, what this means, this is an avenue to help save someone that's been a victim of crime," Eubanks emphasized. "You may not be able to address all issues, but you have a path to start the process, and this path comes with funding."
The department, like many support providers, is still rebounding after the pandemic, when access to services decreased, even as the number of calls to places like domestic violence hotlines and shelters increased.
Eubanks explained collaboration lies at the heart of the initiative. The Health Department is encouraging nonprofits, for-profit companies and other organizations to apply if they have ways to provide more support services.
"If you're interested in working with victims and you meet the eligibility requirement, please apply for those funds so that we can offer more direct services to all victims of crime within the state of Mississippi," Eubanks urged.
She stressed the importance of partnerships with organizations like the Mississippi Domestic Violence Coalition and the Mississippi Sexual Assault Coalition, which complement or supplement traditional policing efforts. She added a wraparound approach to providing services reinforces the reality that no one agency can do it alone.
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The giving season offers Ohioans an opportunity to reflect on the importance of supporting community services.
For survivors of sexual violence in rural Ohio, donations are critical in maintaining vital resources. In 2023, donations made up about 1% of incoming funds to the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence.
Taylr Ucker-Lauderman, chief engagement officer of the alliance, explained rural areas face unique challenges.
"We've known for a while that there are service gaps there," Ucker-Lauderman pointed out. "We still need to provide crisis services like legal aid, like housing, medical services, and we don't want to lose any momentum. We want to keep our work going."
Rural areas often lack the resources available in urban centers, creating barriers to critical services such as transportation and crisis support. The coalition emphasized the importance of believing survivors and supporting them on their journey toward healing. Ucker-Lauderman acknowledged while grants and foundation resources fund most of the coalition's efforts, there are still remaining areas requiring additional support.
The organization has also prioritized empowering survivors through storytelling workshops, offering tools to help them reclaim their narratives.
Shelby Lieber, survivor coordinator for the alliance, emphasized the importance of such efforts, especially in rural communities, where stigma often silences survivors with notions like, "It doesn't happen here" or "If it does, it stays behind closed doors."
"We want to make sure that you're hearing survivor voices," Lieber stressed. "That way, other survivors can come forward and say, 'This happened to me and I'm ready to start healing.'"
The Alliance recently concluded a three-year project focusing on rural Ohio, addressing service barriers and increasing local capacity. These efforts underscore the resilience of Ohio's rural communities and the ongoing need for resources to foster healing and change.
Disclosure: The Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Health Issues, and Women's Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
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