The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services has awarded more than $3.9 million in Violence Against Women Act grants to agencies across the state — including multiple organizations in Summit, Portage, and Stark counties.

In Summit County, funding is going to several agencies focused on victim services and justice support, including Battered Women’s Shelter, Community Legal Aid Services, City of Akron, Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties, and Victim Assistance Program, Inc. These grants support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking through shelter, advocacy, legal aid, and counseling.

Portage County recipients include the Children’s Advocacy Center of Portage County and the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office, both receiving funding to strengthen services for victims and improve coordination between law enforcement and the court system.

In Stark County, several agencies are receiving support, including the Canton City Law Department, Domestic Violence Project, Inc., Louisville Police Department, Massillon Law Department, PACE Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office. These funds will help expand victim services, improve investigations and prosecutions, and enhance community-based responses to violence against women.

Statewide, OCJS awarded 81 grants across 45 counties, helping local governments and nonprofit organizations improve prevention, enforcement, and survivor support. The grants are funded through the federal Violence Against Women Act and administered by OCJS, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

A full list of agencies and award amounts is available through OCJS.