By Erin Lawson, Operations Director
On October 22, 2026, Governor Mike DeWine announced several new initiatives to improve services for domestic violence survivors, and to provide better training and protection for law enforcement officers who respond to domestic violence situations. This came shortly after new data was released from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), showing that domestic violence is the “most prevalent crime in Ohio.”
Included in this data from OCJS is computerized criminal history and shows that over half of all violent crime arrests in Ohio included a domestic violence charge. Of those arrested for domestic violence, 70% were repeat offenders. Data also shows that half of Ohio’s 88 counties have above average domestic violence rates for the state.
The new initiatives include:
An additional $1 million in funding for Ohio’s domestic violence shelters, delivered as an $18,000 grant to each shelter
A new program to provide ballistic shields and lethality assessment training for law enforcement officers
And a new program aimed to expand co-responder partnership models.
Also announced was the direction for development of a statewide standard for responding to and investigating domestic violence cases which will include components of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network’s (ODVN) new Law Enforcement Handbook for Working with Victims of Domestic Violence. To familiarize law enforcement officers with the handbook, OCJS and ODVN will be providing seven regional training sessions throughout the state.
The Impact for Ohio’s Animals
We know that domestic violence affects animals as well as people. Research on the link between human and normal violence has long shown that the two often occur in the same homes. Abusers will threaten, harm, or kill a pet to control and intimidate a partner. Many survivors delay leaving because they fear for their animals’ safety or have nowhere to take them. This is why pet friendly shelters are a much needed resource in Ohio.
It’s also why the new training matters. Law enforcement officers are often the first ones to enter a home where violence is happening, and it is crucial for them to recognize, document, and investigate signs of escalation; animal cruelty is one of those signs. By providing training on lethality assessments and a statewide standard, officers will be equipped to understand the link, see the full picture and connect survivors to the right resources. Responding to violence in a home means paying attention to everyone in it, including the animals.
Get Involved
1. OAA has a statewide directory of resources for those impacted by domestic violence. Find resources near you.
2. Help OAA make a difference by making a donation.
3. Share this update and your completed action alert with friends and family!
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