What We Do

Training

OVWA has a long standing history of providing quality continuing education to Ohio’s crime victim advocates and allied professionals. In-person trainings and webinars are provided to OVWA members on a regular basis. OVWA also provides non-members with training opportunities. OVWA provides customized trainings in Ohio, nationally, and internationally—request a training here. See the list below for a list of our customized training topics. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Email us at info@ovwa.org.

Technical Assistance

OVWA members have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of victim advocacy and they are ready to share it!. Our staff and members provide technical assistance to victims, witnesses, crime victim advocates and allied professionals across Ohio. This assistance includes referrals to local, state, and federal resources, mediation for crime victim advocates, and guidance for budding and enduring crime victim programs in Ohio. Click here to see how OVWA can help you!

Best Practices

OVWA works in collaboration with other local, state and national organizations to develop best practices so that advocates and allied professionals can best serve victims of crime. Click here to see best practices from OVWA and other state and national organizations.

Public Policy

OVWA has a history of successful public policy initiatives. OVWA endorses public policy that enhances and promotes the rights of crime victims and advocate services. Our goal is to discover and address current issues that are relevant to victims and witnesses of all crimes. OVWA is always seeking input from its members and the community on how potential legislation will affect victims of crime and their advocates. Click here for legislation that OVWA is following and email us at info@ovwa.org to give your input!

Marlene Young Outstanding Leadership Award

Since 1999, the OVWA Past Presidents Committee has recognized an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities in victim assistance by awarding the Marlene Young Outstanding Leadership Award. The Marlene Young Award recipients are:

2022 – Elizabeth Well, Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center
2021 – Crystal Baker, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Services
2020 – Julie Doepke, Hamilton County Adult Probation
2019 – Chrystal Pounds-Alexander, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, Office of Victim Services
2018 – Sandy Hunt, Montgomery County Victim Witness Division
2017 – Attorney General Mike DeWine
2016 – Gary Heath, ODPS, OCJS – Family Violence Prevention Center
2015 – Phyllis Carlson-Riehm, ACTION Ohio Coalition for Battered Women 
2014 – Teri LaJeunesse, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
2013 – Venica Miller, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Crime Victim Section
2012 – Bruce Adams, Ohio Dept. of Youth Services, Office of Victim Services
2011 – Mark Weiner, Licking County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
2010 – Jane McKenzie, Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
2009 – Ernest Hutchins, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Crime Victim Section 
2008 – Cindy Kuhr, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, BCI Consultant
2007 – Nancy Neylon, Ohio Domestic Violence Network
2006 – Karin Ho, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, Office of Victim Services
2005 – Lori King, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, Office of Victim Services
2004 – Andrea Rehkamp, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
2003 – Mary Jane Latta – Licking County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
2002 – David Voth, Crime Victim Services of Allen and Putnam Counties
2001 – Jeannette Adkins, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
2000 – Dorothy Taylor, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
1999 – Rhonda Barner, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division

William F. Schenk Victim Justice Award of Distinction

In 2016, OVWA began to recognize the exemplary work done by Ohio prosecutors. Every year, OVWA recognizes a prosecutor’s outstanding dedication to victims of crime by awarding the William F. Schenk Victim Justice Award of Distinction. The recipients of this award are:

2019 – Charles “Bill” Morrison, Greene County Assistant Prosecutor
2017 – Scott O’Reilly, Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor
2016 – Todd Schroeder, Putnam County Assistant Prosecutor

Visionaries in Victim Advocacy Awards (VIVA)

In 2018, OVWA saw the need to recognize victim advocates and the critical work they do every day ensuring recovery for victims and witnesses across the state of Ohio. Through this acknowledgement, the Visionaries in Victim Advocacy (VIVA) Awards was born! This annual event seeks to celebrate advocates and recognize the tremendous invaluable role they have in our communities. Learn more about the VIVA Awards and how you can help celebrate excellence in advocacy here! The 2018 VIVA Awards recipients are:

2019

Future Leader – Naji McCall, City of Elyria Law Director’s Office Victim Advocate
Program of the Year – Franklin County Sheriff’s Therapy K-9 Team
The Giving Heart Award – Cindi Yost, OVWA Volunteer


2018

Future Leader – Ryn Farmer, Crime Victim Services of Allen and Putnam Counties
Advocate of the Year – Trish Wright, Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
Program of the Year – Crime Victim Services of Allen and Putnam Counties
Community Collaboration – Greene County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division
Equality in Advocacy – Katherine Yoder, Disability Rights Ohio
Lifetime Achievement – Rhonda Barner, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division (Ret.)