Rep. Sykes Hosts “Call With Your Congresswoman” To Discuss Protecting Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a “Call With Your Congresswoman” to discuss her work to Protect Families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. Rep. Sykes was joined by Teresa Stafford, CEO of Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center in Summit and Medina Counties.
During the telephone town hall, Rep. Sykes explained the Safer Homes and Families Act, her comprehensive legislative package consisting of four bills to prevent domestic violence, protect and empower survivors, and keep families safe. Rep. Sykes and Teresa also discussed resources available to survivors in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, as well as ways lawmakers and local organizations can work together to prevent domestic violence and build awareness in our communities.
“Our neighbors, friends, and family members should all be able to live safely and securely in our communities. That’s why I introduced the Safer Homes and Families Act, which will empower and protect survivors of domestic violence, hold abusers accountable, and ultimately, save lives here in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District and across the country,” said Rep. Sykes. “I’m grateful for the work local organizations like Hope and Healing are doing to combat domestic violence and provide resources to impacted families in Northeast Ohio, and I will continue to support these efforts in Congress.”
“Thank you, Congresswoman Sykes, for hosting this conversation to bring awareness to domestic violence and the services Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center provides this Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For any survivor, know that this situation wasn’t your fault, the shame and stigma isn’t yours to carry, and the Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center is here to help you,” said Teresa Stafford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center of Summit and Medina Counties.
Watch last night’s telephone town hall here.
The Safer Homes and Families Act would protect families from domestic violence by:
- Banning the use of electronic devices to track people without their consent;
- Expanding access to Social Security spousal benefits for individuals who divorce due to domestic abuse;
- Training healthcare providers to better identify and treat individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or dating violence; and
- Allowing individuals who are experiencing dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault to break their lease without adverse costs.
Nationally, one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Ohio suffered 112 domestic violence fatalities from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, 17 of which were children. Additionally, 1,359 incidents of domestic violence were reported in Summit County, and 1,527 in Stark County in 2022.
The Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center provides a home for both the Battered Women’s Shelter and the Rape Crisis Center. The Battered Women’s Shelter (BWS) offers services to anyone experiencing intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking from all demographics (including adult males, elderly, LGBTQ, immigrants and refugees, deaf and hard of hearing, etc.) in Summit and Medina counties. Efforts focus on two priorities: effective intervention at a time of crisis, and programs and community education to prevent abusive situations. The Rape Crisis Center strives to deliver ongoing, client-centered, confidential and/or anonymous comprehensive services to sexual violence survivors and co-survivors. Specially-trained staff, interns, and volunteers empower, support, educate, and provide resources to aid each survivor as they rebuild their lives after experiencing this atrocious crime. The Center offers a variety of services including: crisis support, 24-hour hotline, support and education during hospital forensic examinations, support and education while navigating the justice system, therapy, support groups, information and referrals.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, visit www.hopeandhealingresources.org or call the BWS hotline at 330-374-1111.