Richland County Prosecutor's Office - Victim Witness Division

09/18/2025

Join Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher in recognizing and honoring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month! To celebrate the brave and resilient survivors of Domestic Violence in our community, the Richland County Prosecutor's Office is sponsoring a free Survivor Self-Defense Class. In this class, Shawn Chitwood with Team Chitwood Martial Arts & Fitness will teach community members simple and memorable self-defense techniques.

When: October 11, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Where: 314 E. Main Street, Lexington, OH 44904
Dress: Workout or athletic clothing, closed toe shoes, and no jewelry

04/10/2025

Take Back the Night started back in the 1970s, coming to the United States in 1973 when a group of students at the University of Southern Florida marched through campus demanding a women's resource center. The early protests sparked thousands of events on college campuses and in global communities, all working to end sexual violence and support victims. Now, Take Back the Night reaches millions of people each year, all over the world!

Learn more at: https://takebackthenight.org/about-us/

04/08/2025

Join Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher in celebrating resiliency as we Take Back the Night! This event will take place April 29th, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST

Guest speakers, a walk of honor, a candlelight vigil, and a resource fair full of community resources will take place at OSU Mansfield's Riedl Hall, located at 2400 Kenwood Circle, Mansfield OH 44906.

Interested in hosting a resource table? Email [email protected] for more info!

04/03/2025

10/23/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

Did you know that Domestic Violence does not occur only as physical abuse? Domestic Violence also can occur in the forms of emotional, financial, sexual, and technological abuse. Understanding the types of Domestic VIolence may not only help someone going through it, but also others who know someone dealing with these types of abuse.

To learn more about the different types of Domestic Violence abuse visit: https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/education-resources/learn-about-abuse/types-of-domestic-violence

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !

If you think you may be in an abusive relationship and need assistance, or if you are looking for help for a friend, please call the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-723-3014. Expert counselors are waiting to speak with you, and all calls are confidential.

10/23/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

You can be the that makes a difference in the life of a child experiencing domestic violence by offering support, encouragement, stability and love. Simply being there can be enough

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !

10/22/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

Safe housing is consistently rated as a survivor's most urgent need. Supporting your local Domestic Violence shelter is you can do to help domestic violence survivors and their children. Most shelters accept donations such as: nonperishable food, new or lightly used clothing, hygiene products, items for children or babies.

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !

10/22/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

“Survivors are 2 times more likely to develop symptoms of depression and 3 times more likely to develop a major depressive order.” - thehotline.org

Even after leaving an abusive relationship there is still healing to be done. What’s your to support the healing of a survivor?

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !

10/21/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

Your story can be the that is a catalyst to help, inspire, or motivate others to help end domestic violence. It just takes one person to help inspire others.

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !

10/18/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

What is the deadliest form of domestic violence?

Strangulation is among the most lethal forms of domestic violence-and being strangled increases the risk of being killed in the future by 750% - 4.erie.gov

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !

Stats are from The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN)- July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

10/16/2024

What’s Your #1 Thing?

There are a number of reasons why victims stay with their abuser. It is important to note that victims do not stay in abusive relationships because they enjoy being abused. Rather, they have very real, compelling reasons for staying. - knowmore.fsu.edu

Fear - It is well documented that victims are at the most risk of injury when they are leaving.

Control - The victim’s identity has been lost because for the duration of their relationship the abuser has made many of their relationship choices for them.

Promises of Reform - The abuser promises it will never happen again; the victim wants to believe this is true.

Guilt - The victim may believe the abuser is sick or needs their help.

Lack of self-esteem - The victim may come to believe that they somehow deserve the abuse. The abuser has destroyed any sense of self-esteem they once had and therefore they now believe that they don’t deserve anything better.

Children- often the abuser threatens to take the children away from them if the victim leaves or attempts to leave.

Love- Most victims want the violence to end, but love their partner and want the relationship to work.

Finances - A lack of money can make these situations even harder because many options for leaving require payments, such as hotel fees or a plane ticket. If the victim does not have the means to do these things many of the options disappear.

focuses on the little things we can do each day to raise awareness for the prevention of relationship and gender-based violence. Throughout this month, we will share with you different ways you may be able to make a difference in the fight against Domestic Violence. Join us in learning ways we can help with !