Attorney General Mike DeWine
Sexual Assault Services Increase for More than 460,000 Ohioans Over Past Year

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that more than 460,000 Ohioans now have increased access to sexual assault services following the first year of the Attorney General's Sexual Assault Services Expansion Program.

Attorney General DeWine announced the formation of the program in March 2013 after a survey conducted by his office's Crime Victim Services Section found that only 41% of Ohio's counties offered its residents access to all core sexual assault services. The program was developed to assist the remaining 59% of counties in expanding the services they provide.

"A follow-up survey conducted by my office this year shows that, since launching the Sexual Assault Services Expansion Program a year ago, 13 additional counties now offer all of the core services," said Attorney General DeWine. "Some of these counties increased their services with the direct assistance of the program, but we were happy to learn that several counties were able to expand services on their own."

The 2013 survey found that 36 counties offered full services, 44 counties offered some core services, and eight counties offered little to no core sexual assault services to residents. Today, 49 counties provide all core services, 38 counties offer some core services, and only one county remains as providing little to no core sexual assault services.

A $65,000 grant provided through the Sexual Assault Services Expansion Program to Ohio University's Women's Center assisted with expanding services to Perry and Meigs counties and increasing services in Athens County. An additional $65,000 grant provided to Helpline of Delaware and Morrow Counties assisted in expanding services into Wyandot and Crawford counties.

"Many of those who didn't have a local hotline to call now have someone to talk with 24/7. Some counties that didn't have a local advocate now have someone who can meet a survivor at the hospital directly following an attack," said DeWine. "Quite frankly, we wish no one would ever have to use these services, but when someone is sexually assaulted, it is critical that survivors can find help close to home."

The goal is that all 88 counties in Ohio will offer all core services to residents by 2018.

"We have made great progress in the last year and appreciate the support of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and his commitment that every Ohioan has access to comprehensive rape crisis services in their area," said Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence Executive Director Katie Hanna. "We still have a way to go to make that goal a reality, but we look forward to continuing to work with the Attorney General's Office on sustainable rape crisis services to support survivors and provide prevention programs."

Funding provided through the development of Ohio's Rape Crisis Program Trust Fund is also credited with assisting in the expansion of services throughout the state. The fund was established as part of House Bill 108, which was sponsored by state representatives Nan Baker (R-Westlake) and Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), and amended into Ohio's 2014-2015 operating budget. The fund is administered by the Attorney General's Office.

The Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence defines core services as a 24-hour crisis hotline, criminal justice advocacy, hospital advocacy, community outreach, crisis intervention services, referral services, and agency collaboration.

A county-by-county map is available on the Ohio Attorney General's website.