CLEVELAND — Across Ohio, officials are seeing a stark increase in domestic violence over the span of two years.
The Ohio Domestic Violence Network reported 131 people died from domestic violence from July 2020 to June of 2021. That’s a 20% increase from the previous year and a 62% increase since 2018-19. All of this is something those at Journey Center for Safety and Healing aren't shocked about, saying at one point during the pandemic, they saw fewer calls.
Read MoreCOLUMBUS, Ohio — On Wednesday, members of the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 3, also known as "Aisha's Law," which would grant additional protections to the state's domestic violence survivors.
The bill is named after Aisha Fraser, a longtime teacher from Shaker Heights who was fatally stabbed in November 2018 by her ex-husband, former Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge and State Sen. Lance Mason.
“There are evidence-based indicators that a case is more likely to escalate to a homicide or to a nearly fatal attack. Some of those indicators are if the abuser owns a gun, if there’s ever been strangulation in the relationship, at all, if there’s been a recent job loss, if an abuser has ever threatened suicide,” said Melissa Graves, CEO of Journey Center For Safety and Healing in Cleveland.
Read MoreStrangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, according to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. It can result in unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. The National Domestic Violence Hotline reported strangulation is also a significant predictor of future lethal violence.
“There are evidence-based indicators that a case is more likely to escalate to a homicide or to a nearly fatal attack. Some of those indicators are if the abuser owns a gun, if there’s ever been strangulation in the relationship, at all, if there’s been a recent job loss, if an abuser has ever threatened suicide,” said Melissa Graves, CEO of Journey Center For Safety and Healing in Cleveland.
Read MoreCLEVELAND (WJW) – When domestic violence escalated during the pandemic, community leaders in Northeast Ohio were not surprised.
It’s been a year and half and they say the number of violent cases keeps growing.
“There are evidence-based indicators that a case is more likely to escalate to a homicide or to a nearly fatal attack. Some of those indicators are if the abuser owns a gun, if there’s ever been strangulation in the relationship, at all, if there’s been a recent job loss, if an abuser has ever threatened suicide,” said Melissa Graves, CEO of Journey Center For Safety and Healing in Cleveland.
Read MoreDomestic violence thrives in silence. To be able to support and help victims and survivors, and to prevent domestic violence in the future, we all need to talk about it. As a supporter of domestic violence victims and survivors, we need you to help us spread the word and get involved during Journey Center's Week of Action!
We hope you'll join us during this important week, and all month long, to let individuals impacted by domestic violence know that they are not alone and to engage advocates, partners, and our community in starting this important conversation.
Read MoreCLEVELAND, Ohio — Domestic violence killings spiked over the past year in Ohio, with more child victims than any time in the last six years, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
The Columbus-based advocacy group said 131 people died from domestic violence from July 2020 to June 2021. That total represents a 20% increase over the same timeframe from 2019-20, and a 62% increase over that timeframe in 2018-19.
Read MoreJourney’s Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative will quickly connect domestic violence victims to stable housing, regardless of whether or not they come into Shelter. Gaining self-sufficiency away from an abuser has tremendous ripple effects throughout the survivor’s family and community. Children are no longer exposed to abuse; survivors are less like to lose their job; the health, homeless, and child welfare systems may be used less; and the generational cycle of violence and poverty is more likely to end.
Read MoreProviding basic education on topics relating to domestic violence, dating violence, and child abuse is critical to building awareness and addressing these public health crises in our community. Part of that work includes Journey Center’s Prevention and Community Education Program (PACE).
PACE provides professional training, community education, outreach, and referral information to other organizations and individuals in our community that may be working with individuals and families experiencing domestic violence and/or child abuse. This includes: professional trainings, outreach, and educational classes.
Have you ever felt unsafe in your home? Individuals and families living in homes where domestic violence occurs often feel unsafe and unsure where to go or who to turn to. When making the choice to leave an abusive relationship knowing that you are going to a safe, welcoming place may make the process of leaving easier.
Read MoreSafe & Sound is the only one of its kind in Cuyahoga County helping high-risk, high-conflict families in need of safe, supervised visits. The program meets a critical need in the community by increasing the safety of the child(ren) and the residential parent or guardian when domestic violence, mental health or substance abuse is an issue, or when other significant life challenges may put the child(ren) at risk.
Read MoreThe work of Journey Center's Justice System Advocacy Program Advocates is to provide victims of domestic violence with services that research has shown to make them safer. Advocates demystify the court process, alert victims to potential consequences of the arrest of the abuser, explain next steps, and, most importantly provide support and access to resources they may need going forward.
Read MoreCLEVELAND — Domestic violence advocates are worried about how the pandemic is affecting survivors. They said it's putting further stress on an already fragile situation in several different ways and are worried about the long-term effects it could have.
“This pandemic and this isolation actually just added a really difficult barrier and challenge for survivors,” said Victoria Grant, the Justice System, Racial Equity, and Inclusion Manager at the Journey Center of Safety and Healing.
Read MoreThe ‘perfect storm’ is brewing as the Victims of Crime Act federal fund is being cut from many organizations like Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Organizations are seeing an uptick in abuse cases as the pandemic lingers on, but with less funding, they are struggling to provide needed care and resources.
Read MoreThe City of Cleveland and surrounding suburbs are implementing the DALE program to identify higher risk victims of being killed by a partner.
Read MoreJourney Center for Safety and Healing, formerly Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center (DVCAC), is excited to unveil our new name and logo in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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