Sex offenders could pay fee to fund rape crisis centers

3-20--2013 Ohio:

Ohio officials are looking to increase the state’s number of rape crisis programs and change the way they are funded.

Of Ohio’s 88 counties, only 36 offer “comprehensive, direct services,” which include offering a 24-hour crisis hotline, criminal justice advocate and crisis intervention services.

“It shouldn’t matter — it must not matter what county you live in. If you are a victim you deserve the most comprehensive services available,” said Attorney General Mike DeWine, in a news conference this morning.

These programs are funded almost entirely by state and federal grants, which have been greatly reduced in the past few years.

A House bill was also announced by Rep. Nan Baker, R-Westlake, and Kirk Schuring, R-Canton, at the conference to change that.

The bill would set aside $2 million for a trust fund to support rape crisis programs and also require sex offenders to pay a $100 fee when they register in the state’s tracking system.

The fee is estimated to bring in about $200,000 for the state’s 27 rape crisis programs.

“We need all of the components of this bill,” said Katie Hanna, executive director of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. “$200,000 isn’t that much to fund these programs. We really have to invest to be able to provide these services.” ..Source.. by Sara Jerde