A New Statewide Coalition Julianna Nemeth Interim Board President & Steering Council Member Updated June 2009

Steering Council & Interim Board Members Chrystal Alexander Catherine Harper Lee Diane Daiber Gary Heath (Board Treasurer) Jill Magnusom Judi Moseley Julianna Nemeth (Board President) Kara Porter Ruth Downing Ruth Reeve Sondra Miller Stephanie Smith Bowman (Board Secretary)

Purpose of the Steering Council (SC) The council is working to establish the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, a statewide 501(c)3 organization. On April 30, 2009 we were notified of our 501(c)3 designation from the federal government. The Steering Council is now actively & thoughtfully working to put into place the first full Board of Directors and secure funding to hire coalition staff.

The mission of the OAESV is to work to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of survivors and co-survivors of sexual violence.

The OAESV recognizes that all forms of oppression are interrelated and that to end sexual violence we must work to end other forms of oppression. The elimination of gender inequality and other forms of systemic oppression are an integral part of sexual and intimate partner violence prevention and intervention work. In order to advocate for and serve all survivors and co- survivors of sexual violence, we must recognize that sexual violence has its roots in the state of inequality generated by the cultural phenomenon of patriarchy and perpetuated by attitudes of sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, ageism, and nationalism. Our ultimate goal is to achieve human rights and social justice for all Ohioans. Our task requires that OAESV challenge and raise consciousness of flawed social norms in order to achieve our vision of social justice and human rights. We recognize that achieving cultural competence and inclusiveness requires our collective desire and effort to be open, accepting and respectful of Ohio’s diversity and mindful of its constant evolving nature.

The purposes of the OAESV shall be: 1. To work to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of survivors and co-survivors of sexual assault. 2. To assist sexual assault programs throughout the State of Ohio in developing, maintaining, and strengthening recognized standards in the delivery of services to sexual assault survivors and their families. 3. To identify, develop and implement short and long term statewide strategies for advocacy, funding, program development and evaluation of sexual assault programs. 4. To provide crisis intervention services and appropriate referrals to intimate partner violence and sexual violence survivors and co- survivors throughout Ohio. 5. To support and guide the implementation of primary prevention of intimate partner violence and sexual violence throughout Ohio. 6. To provide educational and technical assistance, information sharing, on topics including treatment, prevention, and research, in support to Ohio sexual assault programs. 7. To encourage collaboration in strengthening a multidisciplinary approach between first responder entities in coordination of services for survivors and co-survivors of sexual assault in Ohio.

Purposes cont.: 8. To educate member agencies regarding development of relevant state and federal legislation and private and public funding opportunities and to assist in procurement of resources to prevent sexual violence and provide support to sexual assault survivors and co-survivors. 9. To engage in educational activities designed to aid in the development of legislation supportive in reinforcing human rights of sexual assault survivors. 10. To disseminate to the public, through the membership, information pertinent to improving and strengthening the lives of sexual assault survivors, co-survivors, and their families throughout Ohio. 11. To educate political entities in Ohio of the needs of sexual assault survivors, and co- survivors and their families. 12. To serve as a state and national spokesperson, on behalf of sexual violence prevention and intervention services, in an effort to change social norms in pursuit of prevention and elimination of sexual violence in Ohio. 13. To oppose and actively work to discourage and ultimately end any forms of discrimination based on race, religion, ethnic group, class, creed, gender, age, physical, mental or emotional disability, political perspective, sexual orientation, or educational background. 14. To provide on-going education, training, and consultation for direct service providers on issues of diversity and how diversity relates to working with the range of populations in respect to cultural competency in service provision to all survivors, co-survivors and their families in Ohio. 15. And any other purposes consistent with the mission and values statement of the OAESV.

Membership in the corporation is open to any of the organizations or individuals in Ohio that support the Mission, Values, and Purposes of the OAESV.

A Select Timeline of OAESV Activities: In April 2008, Cat Fribley and Monika Johnson Hostler of the National Resource Sharing Project facilitated a meeting with what has become the OAESV Steering Council concerning the feasibility of moving forward with coalition building in OH. By June 2008, formalized the OAESV Steering Council purpose & set forth on the work of establishing a new coalition. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center agreed to serve as the OASEV Steering Council Fiscal Sponsor & we moved forward in conversations with state funders regarding funding coalition establishment activities.

The Ohio Department of Health committed $10,000 to fund a needs assessment & grant writing activities. We conducted a national bid and interview process and have hired Lauren Litton, of ISP Consulting, to serve as a consultant to the process. Marty Sweterlitsch from the law firm of Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff, LLP agreed to serve as legal counsel for the OAESV Steering Council through the 501(c)3 establishment process.

November 2008-We filed and received confirmation of our state 501(c)3 status. (Articles of Incorporation) January 2009-We filed a 501(c)3 application with the IRS, with a request for expedited filing. Spring 2009-ISP Consulting conducted a statewide needs assessment concerning establishing a new statewide coalition.

Spring 2009-Received notice that we were denied expedited filing through the IRS, so we asked for our State Senators to intervene with the IRS on our behalf. April 30, 2009-Received notification from the IRS that the OAESV received 501(c)3 status May 2009—The Center For Disease Control recognizes the OAESV as Ohio’s Statewide Sexual Assault Coalition eligible to receive federal dollars

OCJS awarded the OAESV $10,000 to plan and hold regional meetings and support some limited board development activities. May 2009—OAESV applied for OVW SV Coalition Specific Funds & VOCA Stimulus funds through the Ohio AG’s Office in order to hire staff and begin mission focused activities. June 2009-Planning for Regional Meetings, Establishing Financial Management Practices & Laying Board Development Groundwork.

Plans for the Future Secure funding to create website, hire OAESV staff, and conduct 1 st year activities of coalition. Establish the first full Board of Directors and provide Board Development Training. Establish Coalition Membership. Establish an office location (YWCA, Columbus). Hire staff. Hold regional meetings to excite our base and receive input into the direction of the new coalition. Begin providing mission specific coalition activities.

Join us at an OAESV Regional Meeting: September 18, 2009November 17, 2009 Akron Area Hosted with support of the Alliance Against Sexual Violence Ross County Hosted with support of Julie Oats, Child Protective Services We hope to host a 3rd regional meeting in Findlay in the early part of 2010.

Ways to Stay Connected Sign up to receive electronic notification of upcoming activities at the resource table. Stay tuned to sa-ohio for future announcements. Check out our website once established, Attend a regional meeting.

Until staff are hired, please direct OAESV inquiries to: Judi Moseley

Acknowledgment of Supporters The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has served as the OAESV’s fiscal sponsor, and even after receiving the 501(c)3 status is helping with the fiscal transition. Marty Sweterlitsch from the law firm of Friedlander,Coplan & Aronoff, LLP provided pro-bono legal counsel for the OAESV Steering Council through the 501(c)3 establishment process. The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services each provided $10,000 to the OAESV establishment process. U.S. Senator George Voinovich contacted the IRS in support of expediting our federal 501(c)3 application.

Continued Acknowledgment of Supporters The following individuals/organizations provided letters of support for OAESV’s application to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the Grants to State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions: U.S. Representative, Mary Jo Kilroy Ohio Governor Ted Strickland Ohio Department of Health Ohio Domestic Violence Network Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses Ohio Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Consortium Alliance Against Sexual Violence (Northern Ohio) Tracy Crandell & Kelly Skeat from the law firm Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP will provide pro-bono legal counsel moving forward.

Julianna Nemeth Prevention Director HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc. 11 N. Franklin St. Delaware, OH (740) , ext. 109