“Unfortunately, when we look at most of the recent homicides in Ashtabula County they all have a common thread — domestic violence.
“We don’t know yet who killed Rand Hilal al Dulaimi, but we know her estranged husband is a person of interest and we know she spent time at Homesafe, where those who knew her said she was working to escape an abusive marriage. In 2017, Sheila Pyles, of Ashtabula, was killed, and her boyfriend charged in her death — after she had taken him back following domestic violence charges. Kyle Starkey was convicted last year of murder after being convicted in 2016 of rape, and was reportedly a violent abuser to both victims…”
“As we have discussed in the past, it is important to reach out to those you suspect are being abused. Be supportive and express concern for their safety and well being, offer whatever they need — but patience is important in helping someone not only recognize they are in an abusive relationship but also to take the often frightening steps to leave their situation. When that time comes, contact Homesafe (440) 992-2727, which has resources and experience in domestic violence situations.
“If someone you know has suffered sexual abuse, the county also has an outstanding resource in the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Ashtabula office, which provides access to services including counseling, victim assistance and support groups. Hours are by appointment, but someone will be in the office 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. To make an appointment, call 440-354-7364.
“Violent crime is a reality in all communities, not just Ashtabula County, but it is a problem that we must take on as a community by being supportive, listening and making sure victims know that someone cares.”
Continue Reading: Murder, Domestic Violence Linked
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is pleased to offer Ambassador Training workshops that are free and open to the public. These educational workshops are open to anyone who wants to learn more about how to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and become more involved in creating societal change.
Please check back soon for additional workshop dates!
Cost: Free. Registration is encouraged.
Location: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Main Office
See information about the event moderator and panelists.
“While online technology has led to exponential increases in human trafficking, it is by no means a new crime.
“‘It is a very old crime — it’s just been given a new name,’ Sr. Anne Victory stated at a June 26 forum put on by the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking. ‘It used to go by a different name: Slavery.’
“As a former assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor, Mayor Ed Kraus pointed out that ‘we do have it here in Solon.’
“And just about everywhere else, for that matter.
“Police Chief Christopher Viland concurred, recalling that at one time ‘we had a large immigrant population that was working at one of our local restaurants, and was rescued by Immigration and Naturalization at the time.’
“Viland also recounted a case over the past year involving a a missing juvenile from a neighboring town who found her way down to Tower City.
“From there, she was sold around neighborhoods and vacant houses in Cleveland, ‘taken advantage of while being kept high and drunk,’ until a regional task force intervened.
“‘We are seeing it across the county, in all demographics,’ noted Teresa Stafford, now the senior director of victim services and outreach with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.”
Through Project STAR (Sex Trafficking Advocacy and Recovery), we provide intervention, advocacy, support and counseling to survivors of sex trafficking.
Continue reading: What to Look For: Solon Hosts Human Trafficking Seminar and Town Forum
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center will host the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center’s Victims’ Rights Training on August 8, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Register at the OCVJC website today!
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Halle Building Conference Room, 1228 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 (parking available in Halle Parking Garage via Huron Rd or Prospect)
OCVJC Victims’ Rights Training is a four-hour comprehensive, multi-disciplinary training that informs trainees about the legal rights of victims and the ethical obligations of those assisting them. The training includes a focus on access to justice for crime victims. Many of these rights have changed with the passage of 2017’s Issue 1, Marsy’s Law. This training will update criminal justice officials and related professionals on these changes to victims’ constitutional and statutory rights.
Law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, advocates, medical personnel, counselors, social workers, and others who serve crime victims.
At the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center website.
Download a printable flyer.
“GENEVA — More than 50 people in the county used services provided by the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center last year.
“In September, the center opened an Ashtabula office at 5021 State Road, after operating for the last three years out of Homesafe for just a few hours each week, Jennifer Schlosser, director of community engagement at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is headquartered in downtown Cleveland and serves Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties through 17 office locations.
“In 2017 in Ashtabula County alone, the center provided direct services, such as individual counseling and victim assistance services, to more than 50 clients, and engaged more than 1,300 individuals through outreach activities such as professional trainings and community outreach events, Schlosser said.
“She said in addition to individual counseling, support groups and victim assistance services, the center supports survivors and their loved ones via its 24/7 Crisis and Support Hotline via phone or text at (440) 423-2020 or chat at www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.
“’We also offer professional training services for organizations such as law enforcement, medical and college,’ she said.
“Rachel Wright, an outreach specialist for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, will be a guest speaker at a medical forum, sponsored by University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center, at the Geneva Community Center Hall on Wednesday.
“Wright will speak on services, counseling, victim support and the center’s free hotline. The forum will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Geneva Community Center at 72 W. Main.”
Continue reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Specialist to Speak in Geneva
“CLEVELAND – Northeast Ohio native Erika Port had her own #MeToo moment years before household names like Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose and organizations like USA Gymnastics were brought down by allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual abuse.
“‘When I spoke out more people felt empowered to say you know this happened to me too by that abuser,’ Port explained.
“Port met her abuser when she was just a freshman in high school and he was a senior.
“‘I was 14 when I met him, 15 when the sex abuse, verbal abuse, mental abuse, stalking, all sorts of types of abuse started happening,’ she explained.
“The third time Port reported her abuser, she went to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center for support, guidance and help.
“Since then the #MeToo movement has not only removed powerful people, like movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, from positions within their industries, but it has spurned a national outcry for justice.
“‘Some callers feel very empowered by what they’ve seen in the news media and seeing offenders finally be held accountable, seeing survivors demonstrate the courage that it takes to come forward,’ said Sondra Miller, the President and CEO of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
“Since the MeToo movement began, they have seen a massive increase in calls for support, people seeking counseling and people looking for help to maneuver the justice system.
“‘We were averaging just over 3,000 calls on our hotline a year for pretty close to a decade and there’s been a steady increase and this year we’re expecting close to 7,000 calls on the hotline,’ Miller said.”
Continue reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Credits #MeToo Movement for Increase in Assault Reports.
Thanks to your generous support at Sing Out!, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center exceeded its fundraising goals! These funds enable survivors of rape and sexual abuse to receive critical, life-saving services they need to recover, heal and thrive.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center would like to thank the chorale members, sponsors, host committee, community partners, event chairs, and friends who made Sing Out! 2018 possible. This incredible outpouring of community support allows Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to reach more in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties with healing services and prevention education.
Thank you for showing survivors that they are not alone!
“A months-long investigation into outcomes of rape cases in Cuyahoga County revealed dozens of accused rapists evaded Ohio’s sex offender registry.
“Our investigative team reviewed every case involving rape charges filed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas from 2014 to 2016. We found close to one in five defendants charged with rape accepted what one local judge calls ‘factually baseless’ plea deals, and those defendants were not required to register as sex offenders.”
“…Stafford said the impact of ‘factually baseless’ plea bargains can be devastating for victims.
“‘Some feel re-victimized,’ she said. ‘Some survivors feel they didn’t receive validation. It minimizes their abuse and their experience and that the offender wasn’t really held accountable at all for the situation.’
“She said the deals also send victims the message that no one believes their stories and what happened to them was not a serious crime.”
Continue Reading: Evading Justice: How Some Accused Rapists in Cuyahoga County Avoid the Sex Offender Registry (News 5)
