OAESV and our member programs lost over $8.3 Million in VOCA funds in 2020. We recently learned that our 2021 projections are much worse than anticipated. Rape Crisis Programs across Ohio are bracing for layoffs and service reductions.

Amid this severe time for rape crisis centers and the survivors we serve, we extend a sincere thank you to the Ohio House of Representatives for increasing GRF 055501 to $7.3 Million per fiscal year.

In anticipation of the newly revealed cuts, we respectfully as the Ohio Senate to increase the line item to $10 million per fiscal year, and consider additional support to sustain these life-saving services.

OAESV held it's 9th Annual Advocacy Day to End Sexual Violence.

3 State Senators, 2 State Representatives, 2 U.S. Representatives & 2 national sexual violence policy advocates shared remarks.

725 survivors, preventionists, advocates, and stakeholders watched the broadcast.

85 rape crisis program staff met with 71 Lawmakers.

#embraceyourvoice and #tellyourstory reached 1,255 people on Advocacy Day alone.

Sponsors: Representative Miranda, Representative Galonski

Committee: House Criminal Justice

HB 266 would eliminate the statute of limitations of § 2907.02 Rape, remove the spousal exemption from § 2907.02 Rape, and extend the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse claims from 12 years to the date the survivor reaches the age of 55.

Eliminate sex crime spousal exceptions; permit spousal testimony

Sponsors: Representative Lanese, Representative Boggs

Committee: House Criminal Justice

Click here for OAESV's Fact Sheet.

Declare racism a public health crisis 

House Sponsors:

Senate Sponsors:

Committees: House State and Local Government Committee, Senate Health Committee

Rosa Beltré, Executive Director, OAESV

Click here for more information

Sponsors: Representative Lipps, Representative Kelly

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Current law does not mandate education addressing the pervasive problems of sexual abuse and sexual violence. Erin's Law would require sexual abuse prevention education in grades K-6, add sexual violence prevention education in grades 7-12, and require additional training for school personnel. Ohio is a regional outlier, as Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York have all passed Erin's Law. Erin's Law curriculum first appeared in public schools in 2009, and Ohio's legislation meets our individual state's needs for district expertise in crafting compliant lessons.

Click here for OAESV's Lawmaker Toolkit.

Emerging research shows that parents are major producers of child sexual abuse (CSA) material. Almost 70 million reports of CSA material were made to U.S. authorities in 2019. That figure rose even further in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove children to stay at home with abusive adults. Children abused by a parent are the least likely group to disclose to anyone, and the shame and fear caused by trauma makes it extremely difficult to speak out.

We must act now to establish protective policies for when Ohio's children return to school and need additional support and education from trusted adults.

Remove the cap on damages for noneconomic loss when a victim of rape or assault brings a tort action 

Sponsors: Representative Boggs, Representative Russo

Committee: House Civil Justice Committee

This bill would remove limitations on the amount of compensatory damages for noneconomic loss in tort actions brought by a victim of rape, felonious assault, aggravated assault, assault, or negligent assault.

For more information, please visit our Training & Events Calendar here.

Help support our work. At OAESV we provide many services, including training for advocates and preventionists, technical assistance for local programs, systems advocacy, public policy work, and much more.