(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that $4.8 million in grants will be awarded to support the work of rape crisis centers and sexual assault survivor programs in Ohio.
Twenty-five rape crisis centers and survivor service providers from 24 Ohio counties received grants. Please see list of awardees.
The grant funding will help the 25 programs offer virtual/remote and crisis services, support emergency needs of sexual assault survivors, and pay for hiring and retention bonuses to attract and maintain staff to ensure the continuity of sexual assault recovery services.
“The services provided by our rape crisis centers are essential for helping sexual assault survivors recover from trauma,” said Governor DeWine. “These funds will not only help survivors get the support they need but will also ensure that service providers have enough staff members to walk along with survivors on their recovery journey.”
The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is administering the grant program, which is funded through the 2021 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act American Rescue Plan Act (FVPSA ARPA) Rape Crisis Centers and Sexual Assault Programs Supplemental COVID-19 Funds.
This announcement follows $3.6 million in family violence prevention grants and $6.7 million for domestic violence survivor programs that were announced earlier this fall.
OCJS is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities.
