EDITOR’S NOTE: This column was authored by Rebecca Garcia, Program Director, Safe Haven Appleseed Community Mental Health Center.
Ashland is a beautiful city that has much to celebrate, and there is much to be proud of within our community.
However, like many places, Ashland also faces significant challenges, including intimate partner violence (IPV), a growing concern across Ohio. IPV is not just a private issue but a community-wide concern, with far-reaching impacts on individuals and the broader community.
A recent study by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN), conducted by Joseph Von Nessen, an economist at the University of South Carolina, reveals the staggering costs of domestic violence.
According to the study, IPV perpetrators impose an annual financial burden of $1.2 billion on Ohio’s communities, including more than $5.1 million annually in Ashland County alone.
The study identifies the most significant economic impacts as follows:
Physical health care for victims: $264.8 million annually (22.9% of the total costs)
Loss of life: $239.9 million annually (20.8% of the total costs)
Loss of worker productivity: $227.7 million annually (19.7% of the total costs)
These figures highlight not only the direct financial costs but also the widespread disruption IPV causes in the lives of victims, their families, and communities at large.
Safe Haven of Ashland, which provides domestic violence and rape crisis services, is grateful for the support of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, who have included $20 million in essential funding for domestic violence services in their proposed 2026-2027 budgets.
Additionally, Safe Haven is grateful for our local legislatures; Representative Melanie Miller and Senator Mark Romanchuck.
This funding is especially crucial at a time when federal support for these services is at risk.
Investing in domestic violence services is a smart choice—it not only saves lives but also reduces the long-term costs of IPV.
In 2024, Safe Haven faced a heartbreaking challenge: the organization had to turn away more people seeking emergency shelter than it could assist. While 62 individuals were provided with shelter, 68 others could not be housed due to a lack of space, although we worked to find alternatives and support them in other ways.
We are also witnessing an alarming increase in the lethality of IPV, including more instances of strangulation, which is now a felony offense in Ohio, as well as a rise incases involving technology-based stalking.
For some, the question of why a survivor doesn’t “just leave” can be complex. One of the most significant barriers to leaving an abusive relationship is financial instability.
Many survivors of domestic violence cannot afford to leave due to a lack of affordable housing, financial control by the abuser, or damage to their credit.
Abusers often take away vital documents, like a survivor’s driver’s license or children’s birth certificates, making it even more difficult to escape.
Additionally, the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. Survivors may stay because they feel trapped in the situation they know, despite the violence.
Abusers often wield threats, such as using their community influence to destroy the survivor’s credibility or reputation. These threats, combined with the fear of losing their children or other personal consequences, can make leaving seem impossible.
Unfortunately, in some tragic cases, we have also seen instances of familial human trafficking, where a parent, often battling addiction, exploits their own children in exchange for drugs or money for basic needs.
These heartbreaking cases reflect the hidden costs of domestic violence, which affect not only the victims but also the community as a whole.
Safe Haven works in close partnership with local law enforcement and hospitals to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, providing essential support for navigating the trauma they have experienced.
It is critical for the community to understand that domestic violence impacts individuals across all socio-economic groups, educational levels, and ages, affecting both children and adults.
Unfortunately, funding cuts have jeopardized wraparound services that are crucial for helping survivors rebuild their lives and restore their confidence.
As the ODVN study highlights, Ohio sees over 188,000 victims of intimate partner violence each year, with 114 documented fatalities from July 2023 to June 2024.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 38% of Ohio women and 33% of men will experience intimate partner violence, rape, or stalking at least once in their lifetime.
For Ohio, investing in domestic violence services is not only a moral imperative but also a sound financial decision.
Funding these services will save lives and reduce the long-term economic costs borne by our communities.