Governor Bob Taft has designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Ohio, to help direct public attention to a serious social problem that affects victims and their families.

"Our goal is to educate Ohioans about the reality, consequences and prevention of family and community violence," said Jacqueline Romer-Sensky, director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Community activities, throughout the state during October are being sponsored by domestic violence shelters, YWCAs, and various other private non-profit providers. The activities have been funded, in part, through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, for family violence prevention.

ODJFS has awarded more than $3.7 million to 84 domestic violence shelters, agencies and other domestic violence programs for direct community-based services. The services include response to crisis calls, information and referral services, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, peer support, victim advocacy, specialized children's intervention programs and school-based prevention programs to educate young people about establishing healthy relationships and identifying the early warning signs of relationships which could put them at risk of relationship violence.

"We need to ensure that everyone is aware of the services available in the community to help victims of family violence and their children," said Romer-Sensky. "Although the children in the family may not be battered, they are greatly impacted by witnessing domestic violence. Studies have shown that witnessing domestic violence can negatively affect normal childhood development. Through statewide public awareness, we are not only assisting the victim, we are assisting the next generation."

ODJFS also is distributing a total of $176,400 to county departments of job and family services to work with providers to address the special needs of domestic violence victims and their families. About $200,000 has been awarded to three agencies for statewide initiatives that focus on information and referral services, consultation and training.

As part of its ongoing prevention efforts, ODJFS provided many local agencies with educational booklets and public service announcements to assist children in becoming violence free and to understand the components of healthy relationships with others.

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For more information, contact Jon Allen, ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.