U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces More Than $6.4 Million in Funding Awarded to Support Sexual Assault Kit Testing, Investigations, Services and Training in Northern Ohio

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced today that the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded more than $6.4 million in grant funding to support sexual assault kit testing, investigations and prosecutions in Northern Ohio.  In addition, funding was awarded to provide services for prepubescent victims of sexual assault and assist medical nurses with obtaining specialized training.  

The following is a summary of the awards.

City of Cleveland, $2,461,762.

The City of Cleveland was awarded funding to continue sexual assault kit testing, identify victims of sexual assault cold cases and continue the implementation of best practices and victim-centered approaches to investigating and prosecuting these cases.

City of Akron, $2,002,676.

The City of Akron was awarded funding to hire personnel to continue investigations and prosecutions into sexual assault cold cases.  Funding was also awarded to conduct public outreach, support lab efforts for advanced DNA testing, provide support for victims and witnesses and provide training for investigators and prosecutors.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, $1,395,078.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office was awarded funding to help identify “John Doe” defendants, solve sexually motivated homicides and re-investigate previous sexual assault kits to find case leads.

ProMedica Metro Forensic Program: Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and Training Expansion (PMFPE), Toledo, Ohio, $600,000.

ProMedica was awarded funding to provide coordinated forensic interviews, non-acute medical exams and follow-up care for prepubescent victims of sexual assault.  In addition, the grant funding will assist nurses with obtaining their sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) certification.

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at  www.ojp.gov.