domestic violence

Columbus Now Offers Texting Service For Domestic Violence Survivors

By • Apr 20, 2020
Columbus Police Car
Adora Namigadde / WOSU

As Ohio's stay-at-home order continues, Columbus Police reports that domestic violence calls are on the rise. That's spurred the Columbus City Attorney to start offering a texting service to help victims.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Domestic Violence Shelters Expect Boom Of Crisis Calls

By • Apr 7, 2020
The new CHOICES domestic violence shelter which opened in January and can accomodate up to 120 people and currently has a waitlist of more than 40 people.
Paige Pfleger / WOSU

Sue Villilo directs LSS CHOICES For Victims Of Domestic Violence. At their shelter in Columbus, the phone lines have been less busy these past few weeks.

“We actually have a little bit of a dip in seeking services right now. I think to some extent that isn’t too surprising,” Villilo says. “It’s probably harder for people to contact us if they’re in the home with the abuser.”

Columbus Attorney Raises Concern About Spike In Domestic Violence Homicides

By • Mar 30, 2020
City Atty. Zach Klein and Columbus Councilmember Shayla Favor.
Nick Evans / WOSU

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein is expressing alarm after Columbus saw three domestic violence homicides in three weeks. 

Charges Filed Against Domestic Violence Suspect Whose Passenger Died In Crash

By • Jan 17, 2020
Gahanna Police / Facebook

Franklin County prosecutors are pursuing vehicular homicide charges against a man who allegedly crashed a car during a police pursuit while under the influence, killing a passenger.

Lawmaker Confident Domestic Violence Law Will See Movement

By • Jan 17, 2020
In February, Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) introduced a domestic violence protection law along with several of co-sponsors of the bill.
Andy Chow / Ohio Public Radio

Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) says her high-profile domestic violence bill is gaining momentum in the Ohio House. The bipartisan piece of legislation known as "Aisha's Law" looks to overhaul the way communities and law enforcement respond to reports of assault.

Woman Killed In Gahanna Crash Had Accused Driver Of Domestic Violence

By • Jan 9, 2020
Gahanna Police / Facebook

The Gahanna Division of Police identified a woman who died in a crash Wednesday night following a police chase. Authorities believe Shannon Currier was the victim of felonious assault by the car's driver just days earlier.

Could 2020 Bring Action On LGBTQ Protections Or Drug Sentencing Reform?

By • Dec 31, 2019
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, left, shakes hands with Ohio House speaker Larry Householder after delivering the Ohio State of the State address at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
Paul Vernon / Associated Press

This year, Ohio lawmakers managed to send 21 bills to the governor's desk for his signature. However, there are many other proposals that received a lot of attention but are still waiting in the wings for 2020.

House, Senate Democrats Urge Legislature To Prioritize Domestic Violence Bills

By • Oct 30, 2019

Ohio House and Senate Democrats are calling on legislative leaders to pass a slew of bills they believe will reduce domestic violence and protect victims.

Columbus Launches Program To Disarm Domestic Abusers

By • Oct 30, 2019
City Atty. Zach Klein and Columbus Councilmember Shayla Favor.
Nick Evans / WOSU

Columbus this week launched its Intimate Partner Homicide Prevention Project, a federal grant-assisted program designed to overcome hurdles in implementing domestic violence-related gun laws.

Columbus Council Considers Grant For LGBTQ Domestic Violence Intervention

By • Oct 14, 2019
Christopher Columbus statue in front of Columbus City Hall.
Gabe Rosenberg / WOSU

Columbus City Council on Monday will consider a grant for a probation department program focused on intervention for LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence. 

Cleveland Officials To Consider Leave For Domestic Violence Survivors

By editor • Sep 25, 2019

Cleveland City Council is considering whether to require employers to offer leave for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

At Wednesday’s Safety Committee meeting, councilmembers heard from advocates on the need for employee protections.

Almost everyone who comes to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center faces a daunting list of obstacles after an incident, Cassie Gaffney, the center's director of government affairs, told council members.

Lawmakers Hear Emotional Stories From 'Forgotten Crisis' Of Military Domestic Violence

By • Sep 18, 2019

Former wives and partners of servicemen who survived domestic abuse told their harrowing stories before the House Armed Services military preparedness subcommittee as they pressed for more attention to and resources for the growing problem within the armed forces.

"We are here today because domestic violence has become a forgotten crisis in our military," chairwoman Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said in her opening remarks before the military preparedness subcommittee.

Ohio Public Defender’s Office Questions Domestic Violence Bill

By • Aug 23, 2019
In February, Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) introduced a domestic violence protection law along with several of co-sponsors of the bill.
Andy Chow / Ohio Public Radio

Former state lawmaker and Cuyahoga County judge Lance Mason is facing a life sentence next month after pleading guilty Wednesday to the fatal stabbing of his ex-wife Aisha Fraser in November. Her murder prompted a bipartisan bill that seeks to better protect victims of domestic violence.

Ohio State Releases Records From Urban Meyer Investigation

By • Aug 2, 2019
In this Sept. 17, 2016, file photo, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, right, and then-assistant coach Zach Smith, left, gesture from the sidelines during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.
Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press

The Ohio State University has released copies of texts and emails related to the 2018 investigation into then-head football coach Urban Meyer’s handling of domestic violence allegations against an assistant coach.

Central Ohio Domestic Violence Shelters Reaching Capacity During Summer Months

By • Jul 19, 2019
The new CHOICES domestic violence shelter which opened in January and can accomodate up to 120 people and currently has a waitlist of more than 40 people.
Paige Pfleger / WOSU

Summer is here and for some domestic violence shelters in Central Ohio, that means an increase in people seeking services. 

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