Participants in the annual Take Back the Night Walk in Lisbon for Domestic Violence Awareness Month prepare to trek through downtown Lisbon Thursday night. Holding the banner from left are Catholic Charities Regional Agency Executive Director Nancy Voitus, Christina House Program Manager Debbie Chaffin, 79th district state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-New Waterford, Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson and Christina House Outreach Coordinator Nickie Ostick. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON — Stand with domestic violence survivors –offer support, solidarity and safety.

That was the call to action delivered by speakers Thursday night during the Christina House Domestic Violence Program and Take Back the Night Walk in downtown Lisbon.

“This is a problem we cannot ignore or dismiss,” 79th district state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-New Waterford said.

Blasdel served as the guest speaker for the program inside the Christina Center on Washington Street. The Christina House is a program of Catholic Charities Regional Agency.

She offered her thanks to all involved with the Chistina House Domestic Violence Program, saying that domestic violence is often referred to as the hidden epidemic because victims are afraid to come forward out of fear and the possibility that others won’t take them seriously.

She said residents can support the efforts of programs like the Christina House and also said perpetrators must be held accountable.

“We can help break the cycle of domestic violence,” she said.

Blasdel issued a press release regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month and said she was honored to participate in the Take Back the Night Walk and program.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about giving survivors a voice and reminding every community that safety and hope must always come first. Events like this bring people together to stand against abuse, support survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to ending domestic violence here in Columbiana County and across Ohio,” Blasdel said.

Christina House Program Manager Debbie Chaffin kicked off the program by introducing Catholic Charities Regional Agency Executive Director Nancy Voitus, who offered a prayer. Chaffin also recognized the shelter program staff, including Outreach Coordinator Nickie Ostick, legal advocate Elaine Kloss, case manager Jeannie Sensenbaugher, shelter monitor Sharon Gentry, and volunteer Lisa Wycoff.

The theme of this year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month is “With Survivors, Always.”

“We need to stand united as a community to show survivors that we care,” Ostick said during her presentation.

She said to stand with survivors and help them address safety issues they may be facing, Support them by listening without judgment or expectations. Simply saying “I believe you” is supportive. Solidarity is another way to help by standing with a survivor and giving them hope.

Ostick shared some of the statistics for the program, which is celebrating 28 years of helping victims with safe shelter, counseling, case management, safety planning, legal advocacy to obtain protection orders, education and outreach.

Through September this year, the Christina House sheltered 32 women and 30 children, with 849 crisis calls and 1,318 referrals. Kloss saw 470 people seeking help through legal advocacy and obtained 182 protection orders. The program has reached out to 1,499 people and attended 27 outreach events.

Statistics from the Ohio Criminal Justice Service included: more than 9,700 victims sheltered by domestic violence programs across Ohio in 2024; 114 domestic violence-related homicides in Ohio in 2024; an economic impact of $1.2 million annually from domestic violence in Ohio; and 75,867 offenses of domestic violence reported in Ohio.

Ostick said national research suggests that for every reported incident, there’s another one that goes unreported.

She asked those in attendance to take a day to reflect on how much they rely on their phone, money and car and then imagine not having access to those things without permission from someone else. That’s what victims can be facing.

In the press release, Blasdel talked about Ohio’s progress in supporting survivors of domestic violence. The recently passed state budget dedicates $20 million over the next two years–which she said is the largest investment in domestic-violence services in state history.

“It strengthens shelters, advocacy programs, and 24-hour hotlines statewide, while continuing support for rural and regional shelters, including those serving Columbiana and Carroll Counties. The budget also provides transportation aid for survivors, expands trauma-informed care with $90 million for mental health and crisis services, and funds programs for children exposed to violence and survivors of human trafficking,” the press release said.

“These investments, paired with new laws to protect survivors and hold repeat offenders accountable, reflect Ohio’s strong commitment to safety, recovery, and justice for every community,” Blasdel said.

Bills she said were introduced by the Ohio House include: House Bill 346, or V.J.’s Law, improves reporting of child abuse; House Bill 354, the Keeping Our Survivors Safe Act, blocks convicted abusers from possessing firearms; and House Bill 352 expands the definition of domestic violence to include dating relationships. A new law effective March 2025 also mandates prison terms for repeat felony offenders.

Also during the program, Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson read the proclamation approved by Columbiana County Commissioners recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If in need of help, call 330-420-0036 to talk to someone.

mgreier@mojonews.com