Grants for the investigation of sex crimes

Editor’s Note: This article is about sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

OHIO – Governor Mike DeWine announced nearly $900,000 in grants to law enforcement, prosecutors and victim advocacy groups to support victims of sexual assault and hold attackers accountable.

The grants were awarded by the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice through the new Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant program, which launched in February. The program helps with the costs of sexual assault investigations, prosecutions and victim advocacy.

“Sexual assault is one of the worst crimes, and we are providing these resources not only to get perpetrators off the streets, but also to ensure victims have ongoing access to support,” DeWine said.

It builds on the special initiative that DeWine launched during his tenure as the state’s attorney general, which aims to have thousands of previously untested “rape kits” from local law enforcement analyzed for DNA traces.

In this first round, five agencies received funding.

The Forensic Nursing Network will receive $244,841.23 for training programs focused on the collection of sex crime kits and suspect kits. A portion of the money will also be used to purchase sex crime kits for use by forensic nurses.

The Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office will receive $161,355.88 to fund an investigator position that will investigate leads resulting from testing of sex offender kits in child sexual assault cases.

The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office will receive $43,410.57 for a Victim Advocate position. The position will focus on assisting victims who have undergone a sexual assault investigation.

The Columbus Police Department will receive $350,000 to partner with the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation to analyze 175 sex offender kits and enter the DNA profiles of all suspects into the national DNA database.

Finally, the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center will receive $100,000 to develop a sexual assault response training program and best practice guides focused on expanded victims’ rights.