Domestic violence has widespread impact

PORT CLINTON — When domestic violence occurs, the impact goes beyond the victim and perpetrator. Local advocacy leaders said an entire community suffers when domestic violence occurs. The Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center and United Way in Ottawa County hosted a domestic violence roundtable Wednesday to discuss the topic, resources and what still needs to be done. According to the groups, since Jan. 1, domestic violence has impacted Ottawa County with: • One adult fatality • Three youths charged • Six adults convicted with supervision from common pleas probation • Seven adults convicted with supervision from municipal probation • Eight felony indictments • Almost 60 adults jailed The two groups brought Milt Nuzum, director of judicial and educational services at the Ohio Supreme Court, and Shelley Marsh, deputy director at Ohio Domestic Violence Network, to facilitate the discussion at Camp Perry. Multiple county organizations were also in attendance, such as law enforcement, social service agencies and courts. Marsh said it can be easy to overlook the seriousness of domestic violence. But without acknowledging it, the violence will continue. Marsh said a one-day, statewide survey conducted on Sept. 10, 2020, showed 252 victims seeking aid couldn't be helped because Ohio domestic violence aid programs lack resources. The survey also showed there is an average of 28 crisis calls per hour. Jessica Singerling, manager of donor relations for The United Way of Ottawa County, said there's a huge need to increase awareness. "We're seeing more and more cases come up," Singerling said. "This is probably the first of many as we continue to have these conversations. We don't want to see any more victims of domestic violence be affected, because it goes past children and extended family." Connie Roe, executive director of the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, said there was a fatality in the county this summer due to domestic violence. "There had been much discussion and talk around if we were doing enough to raise awareness, educate and combat the problem of domestic violence," Roe said. "We met with several courts, law enforcement agencies and other social service agencies, and it became apparent that there was not a consensus of what is available and what is needed. So the idea of a roundtable was born." Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Levorchick said domestic violence calls present unique challenges. Nuzum said for those whose work deals with domestic violence and survivors, the secondhand stress can be overwhelming. Currently, the closest domestic violence shelter to Ottawa County is in Sandusky. Attendees said in the future, they would like to see a shelter for victims in the county. There are a handful of programs in development in Ottawa County concerning domestic violence, such as a teen dating violence program. Continuing education and awareness of domestic violence is also important, Nuzum said. Agencies said it would be helpful to have all the domestic violence resources in one place to make it easier for dispatchers or law enforcement to immediately know where to turn. Levorchick said the county is lucky to have judges "who listen to the community and are open to growth."