COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence received a grant from the federal government that will help them provide safe housing for those who are a victim of sexual violence.
According to the CDC, half of women experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and one in three men will also experience it.
The alliance works with rape crisis centers across the state to provide resources for survivors. One of their focuses is housing. Right now, they provide temporary housing through hotels and motels. But, this grant money will allow them to provide more permanent housing.
“This funding is really going to help us put survivors into longer term housing situations. Where, it's not a hotel or motel. It's actually an apartment, a townhouse, or a house,” said Taylr Ucker-Lauderman with Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence.
To survivors, this housing could be life changing. Sophia Fifner, a survivor of sexual violence and an advocate, said housing is a top priority for survivors of sexual violence.
“Having a place to come home where you know the lock on the door works, you’re safe, your bedroom is safe and doesn’t re-traumatize you is so important for survivors of sexual assault,” said Fifner.
Terra Purdy, the manager of OhioHealth Sexual Violence Services said the grant money means the world to them. It’s something she said has been a need in Ohio for over 20 years.
“They (sexual violence survivors) are on their first step to healing. Because your first step is to feel safe. Feel safe within your own home, feel safe when there’s somewhere to lay your head. And know that you know that violence is not knocking right there at your door,” Purdy said.
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence will partner with property owners across the state for the housing. They will provide survivors with housing for six months to a year.
“We will meet with them (property owners) and make sure they actually meet our anti-oppressive and trauma informed, survivor centered vision and mission,” said Ucker-Lauderman.
When it comes to sexual violence, survivors, like Fifner, said nobody wakes up, and expects to be a survivor of a traumatic crime. But that’s the reality for a lot of people, and the work is still there.
“There are real, systemic issues connected to violence. While it (the funding) brought awareness, there is so much still to do,” said Fifner
Anyone who experiences sexual violence in Ohio could qualify for this support.
You can find more information here.