County advocates detail support systems for victims at community meeting

The Springfield City Council held a work session on June 18, 2025, focusing on domestic violence advocacy within the community. The session featured a presentation from a local advocate with over 13 years of experience, including eight years in Springfield. The advocate detailed the two primary forms of advocacy: community-based and systems-based. Community-based advocates focus on safety planning and resources, while systems-based advocates guide victims through the legal process, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality and trust.

The advocate highlighted the challenges victims face in participating in the legal system, noting that many barriers exist that prevent them from seeking help. The role of advocates is to help remove these barriers and provide support, whether it involves navigating services like children's services or filing protection orders. The advocate stressed the importance of building relationships with victims to foster trust and ensure their voices are central in discussions about their cases.

During the session, it was noted that the county employs three advocates, while the city has one. The advocate also mentioned collaboration with local agencies, including Project Woman, which employs six advocates. There was discussion about pursuing federal funding to increase the number of advocates in municipal court, particularly in light of recent changes in legislation regarding strangulation, which Ohio recently addressed.

The advocate provided insight into the caseload, indicating that each advocate manages approximately 100 to 200 cases, depending on the time of year. The session concluded with a commitment to continue exploring funding opportunities and enhancing advocacy efforts to better support victims of domestic violence in the community.