CONTACT:

James Pollack
Phone: (330) 604-2739
pollack@prosecutor.summitoh.net
Twitter: @ProsecutorWalsh

Susan Sweeney
Phone: (330) 643-7840
ssweeney@cpcourt.summitoh.net

$750,000 to be used for Special Domestic Violence Unit

AKRON, Ohio (Wednesday, October 02, 2019) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh and Administrative Judge Amy Corrigall Jones are proud to announce today that the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women has awarded the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office a grant totaling nearly $750,000 to be allocated to the office and its partners, the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties and the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

“Domestic violence courts are specialized to address the complex issues presented in domestic violence cases,” explained Judge Corrigall Jones. “This grant award is an excellent example of the benefits of collaboration to the citizens of Summit County. The overarching goal of the program is to provide the necessary specialized staff for Judge Michael’s Domestic Violence Court, focusing on offender accountability, victim safety, and an overall reduction in recidivism,” concluded Jones. The three-year grant will be used to support a dedicated prosecutor and supervisor, a victim advocate, and a domestic violence specialist probation officer in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Violence Specialized Docket. This specialized docket, which was established in 2011, was the state’s first Felony Domestic Violence Court. Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Kathryn Michael oversees these felony domestic violence cases.

“Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in our society. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience intimate family violence in their lifetime,” said Judge Kathryn Michael. “This grant will provide the Domestic Violence Court program with the support that we need to continue our work in breaking the cycle of generational domestic violence.”

“This money is vital in prosecuting felony domestic violence cases,” said Prosecutor Walsh. “These funds allow the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office to maintain and enhance the specialized prosecution of these cases. The funding also allows domestic violence cases to  be handled by specially trained professionals in a manner that ensures offenders will be held accountable.”