• A free Community Health Resource Fair will be held Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at All in a Day Childcare in Columbus.
• Attendees can access WIC sign-ups, health screenings, food assistance, baby safety supplies and more.
• The family-friendly event will also feature food trucks, gaming trucks and activities.

Community members are invited to a free Community Health Resource Fair on Saturday, Sept. 26, offering families and individuals the opportunity to connect with local organizations and access health and community resources.

The event hosted by OhioHealth SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio) will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at All in a Day Childcare, 4420 Refugee Rd, Columbus.

The resource fair will bring together local organizations offering a wide range of free resources and services, including food assistance, WIC sign-ups, blood pressure screenings, car seats and baby safety supplies, food and hygiene packs and information about local health and human services.

Other participating organizations and services include:

• OhioHealth Wellness on Wheels
• NSI Food Pantry
• CelebrateOne
• Here to Serve
• A Step in the Right Direction
• Columbus Public Health
• Franklin County Health and Human Services
• COTA
• CareSource

The event will also feature gaming trucks, food trucks, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

“Resource fairs like this are important because they give people the opportunity to connect with resources and community partners all in one place,” said Deandre Criddell, program coordinator, OhioHealth SARNCO. “You never know what someone may be looking for or what support they may need, so we want to make it easy for people to come, ask questions, make connections, and leave knowing there are people and organizations in their community who are here to support them.”

For questions or to learn more about the event, contact Deandre Criddell at (614) 788-4707.

“Human trafficking is all over our community,” said Megan Schabbing, MD, OhioHealth medical director of Psychiatric Emergency Services. “It’s something that we here in the hospital systems really need to be aware of because we have a huge opportunity to identify trafficking victims and find a way to help them.”

OhioHealth staff receive training to recognize warning signs and approach these situations with care.

“Number one, we provide education for all of our frontline associates to help them identify warning signs for if a patient may be a trafficking victim,” Dr. Schabbing said. “And then the second part is helping them to know kind of how to start that conversation or how to address this very sensitive issue with the patient.”

This work relies on collaboration with partners across central Ohio. One of those partners is SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio) which provides free, confidential services to survivors of sexual violence.

“This is very prevalent,” said Mary Culver, SARNCO associate manager. “You can’t go a day without hearing that somebody may be involved in human trafficking.”

Trafficking can have lasting physical, emotional and psychological effects. Beyond immediate crisis support, survivors often need long-term resources like counseling, housing stability and ongoing advocacy.

Awareness starts with paying attention and speaking up. “If you see something, say something,” Culver said. “When you identify it, being able to provide the proper resources is our goal.”

Survivors and community members can reach out directly for confidential support at any time.

Support available through SARNCO:

• Trained Advocates are available 24/7 to provide immediate care to survivors of sexual assault at all emergency departments within Franklin County.

• Advocates offer free resources and community aftercare advocacy, including emotional support, safety planning, and social, legal and financial assistance.

• Survivors can speak privately with an Advocate by phone or online chat at any time.

• The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline serves all 88 counties statewide, ensuring help is available wherever someone lives.

To get support or learn more:

• Visit www.sarnco.com

• Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline: (844) 644-6435


• CLICK HERE TO CHAT NOW

To support SARNCO and free services provided, visit Giving.OhioHealth.com/SARNCO.

The Resource Fair

Deandre Criddell, SARNCO outreach coordinator, has worked for the program for six years, helping to advocate for members of the community that have experienced sexual violence. “We started going to seven events a year and now we're doing seven events a month. Just this past year in 2024, we did about 80 events. We reached a little over 4,000 people,” Criddell said.

Recognizing the impact that these resources can have on the community, SARNCO decided they wanted to reach more people. Criddell said, “we want people to know that not only is SARNCO here, but all of these amazing resources like medical care, insurance care, health care and wellness. All these resources are available to them, and we are here for them regardless of where they are in their journey.”

The fair will include educational information, music, face painting, artwork and interactive activities, with over 26 vendors and resources such as One Door, Central Community House, Columbus Public Health and more. One Door provides a wide range of services to people in Franklin County. They offer food, childcare, medical assistance, aging resources, re-entry support and more to help a variety of different people.

Another key partner in hosting the event is Central Community House, a non-profit community center that provides crucial support to families through youth programs, financial assistance, community events and more. The program assists people throughout all stages of life with the mission of empowering people to reach their greatest potential.

Each vendor that is attending the health fair has a diverse range of resources to help people from different backgrounds find support. They have a variety of opportunities for everyone to get involved regardless of age.

What is SARNCO?

SARNCO is a program at OhioHealth that provides advocacy and care for survivors of sexual assault. They have on-site support at OhioHealth, Mount Carmel and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and provide a 24-hour sexual assault helpline for all 88 counties in Ohio. Criddell shared that 56 counties don’t have a rape crisis center in their area, so SARNCO helps survivors in those counties get the support they need.

A sexual assault survivor can ask for an advocate while at the hospital and request their advocate to stay however long they need. They walk through the process from beginning to end – this includes explaining legal information, forensic exams, and aftercare advocacy.

SARNCO has several programs in place to help assist survivors during and after their time at the hospital:

• 24-hour emergency room advocacy
• 24-hour sexual assault helpline
• Sexual violence prevention program
• Aftercare advocacy
• Campus advocacy at The Ohio State University
• Rape, abuse and incest national network (RAINN)
• Recovery resources

These resources are free and offer emotional, legal and financial support for all survivors.

SARNCO Resources

“We want people to know that SARNCO is here. These resources are here for them in our community, and we have a lot to offer. So please reach out to us. We'll be happy to help assist and know that if we don't have the answer, someone in this room also has the answer and can help,” Criddell said.

Find more information about the resources and services that SARNCO provides.

Speak with an advocate today at (844) 644-6435 or chat online with a trained SARNCO staff member.

Learn about becoming a volunteer.

Event Details:

• What: This free community resource fair is open to everyone and offers a way to connect with local organizations on a variety of topics, including wellness, childcare, medical assistance and more.
• When: September 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Central Community House, 1150 E Main St Columbus, OH 43205 

OhioHealth is taking a significant step forward in its commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence. This spring, OhioHealth is implementing new forensic technology across more than two dozen emergency departments. 

OhioHealth is deploying Cortexflo camera systems from Fernico—a high-resolution imaging technology built specifically for forensic use. They are referred to as SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) cameras. OhioHealth is purchasing devices for 26 care sites. This includes three care sites that will be upgraded to new equipment in exchange for old cameras which includes OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center, and OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. 

“This technology allows us to capture incredibly detailed images of injuries that may result from sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse and other violent acts,” said Sheree Ford, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, Clinical Nurse Manager for Forensics at OhioHealth. “The level of clarity and precision we can now achieve will make a real difference in patient care and in the pursuit of justice.” 

Cortexflo provides powerful capabilities and advanced features include: 
• High-resolution imaging to detect micro-injuries, which can be crucial in sexual assault cases. 
• Contrast filters to enhance faint injuries that might otherwise be missed in photographs. 
• Alternative light source capability to detect dried bodily fluids such as semen, saliva and urine—critical evidence in many forensic cases. 
• Secure image storage and encryption for safe handling and transfer of photographs during legal proceedings. 

The system allows SANE nurses to zoom in closely on injuries, capture more accurate documentation, and support more comprehensive care for survivors. 

“We are very excited and thankful to OhioHealth for allowing us to purchase this state-of-the-art equipment,” said Ford. “It speaks volumes that our organization believes in what we do and cares deeply about survivors.” 

The installation and software upgrades are happening at the following OhioHealth care sites: 
• OhioHealth Berger Hospital 
• OhioHealth Canal Winchester 
• OhioHealth Doctors Hospital 
• OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital 
• OhioHealth Emergency Care – Ashland 
• OhioHealth Emergency Care – Obetz 
• OhioHealth Emergency Care – Ontario 
• OhioHealth Emergency Care – Powell 
• OhioHealth Emergency Care -- Reynoldsburg 
• OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital 
• OhioHealth Grant Medical Center 
• OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital 
• OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital 
• OhioHealth Hilliard Health Center 
• OhioHealth Lewis Center Health Center 
• OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital 
• OhioHealth Marion General Hospital 
• OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital 
• OhioHealth New Albany Medical Campus 
• OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital 
• OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital 
• OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital 
• OhioHealth Shelby Hospital 
• OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center 
• OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital 
• OhioHealth Westerville Medical Campus 

A few care sites—including some community hospitals—have leveraged funding from the OhioHealth Foundation, in partnership with other local foundations, to support the acquisition of this vital equipment, further demonstrating a shared commitment to excellence in forensic care. 

By standardizing this advanced technology across its network, OhioHealth is strengthening its ability to support survivors and ensure compassionate, high-quality forensic care is available no matter where patients seek help. 

For more information about the OhioHealth’s work to support survivors of sexual violence, please visit: SARNCO | OhioHealth.  

 

Central Ohio Sexual Assault Awareness Month Conference – April 9, 2025 
The 17th Annual Central Ohio Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Conference will take place on Wednesday, April 9, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM at the OhioHealth David P. Blom Administrative Campus (3430 OhioHealth Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43202). 

This year’s conference will focus on the intersection of domestic violence and sexual assault survivorship, providing attendees with firsthand insights from dynamic speakers. Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla D. Favor will deliver the opening keynote address, sharing her commitment to amplifying the voices of victims and ensuring a justice system that is both fair and compassionate. 
Attendees will also: 

• Witness the recognition of 2025 SAAM awardees, including the Visionary Award, Community Partner of the Year, and Lorena Holiday Survivor Advocate of the Year. 
• Engage in breakout sessions to foster learning and collaboration. 
• Connect with community agencies that provide services and resources to survivors. 

Netflix Documentary Screening: Victim/Suspect – May 29, 2025 
On Wednesday, May 29th from 6 – 8 p.m. SARNCO will host a free public screening of the Netflix documentary Victim/Suspect at The Maroon, located at 867 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus. 

This powerful investigative film examines cases in which sexual assault survivors report their attacks, only to find themselves doubted, dismissed, or even accused of false reporting. 

SARNCO remains committed to fostering conversations that promote survivor advocacy and systemic change. Both events are free and open to the public, making them accessible opportunities for individuals to learn, connect, and take action. 

For more information about SARNCO click here.

SARNCO provides immediate care to sexual assault survivors at emergency departments throughout the state, offering emotional, legal, social and financial support. Their services also extend beyond hospital settings to aftercare advocacy, connecting survivors to long-term resources.

SARNCO is now focusing on reaching more individuals in Circleville and surrounding areas. OhioHealth sexual violence services manager Terra Purdy emphasized the importance of volunteers in broadening this reach.

“We rely on volunteers to extend our services, and their contributions are often lifesaving for survivors navigating the aftermath of violence,” Purdy explained. “With our expansion into Pickaway County, we’re looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference.”

Progress is already underway. Earlier this month, SARNCO delivered specialized training to emergency medical service teams in Pickaway and Ross counties, laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive response to sexual and domestic violence in the region. The training, which was offered to Harrison, Circleville, and Clearcreek Fire Departments, equips first responders with the tools they need to provide immediate, trauma-informed care.

According to the CDC, over half of women and nearly one in three men experience sexual violence in their lifetime, underscoring the need for community-based support networks.

“Survivors often face the challenge of navigating the aftermath of trauma alone, which can be overwhelming,” added Purdy. “Having an advocate by their side to guide them through their options and connect them to resources can be a game changer.”

SARNCO offers a nationally accredited 40-hour training for those interested in becoming volunteers. These sessions occur four times a year and cover topics such as trauma response, safety planning and survivor advocacy. The next training session begins on Oct. 12, spanning five full-day weekend sessions.

“Volunteers play a vital role in SARNCO’s hospital-based and community services,” said Purdy. “They are the first point of contact for survivors in emergency departments, offering emotional support and connecting them to necessary services. Advocates help survivors transition from the hospital to the legal system, assisting with law enforcement and court proceedings, housing support and even medical appointments.”

In collaboration with Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE), SARNCO also offers specialized advocacy for survivors who are deaf.

In addition to hospital advocacy, volunteers can serve as Helpline Advocates, answering SARNCO’s 24-hour Rape Helpline. This role involves offering immediate comfort and guidance over the phone to survivors, as well as their friends and family members.

SARNCO invites those who are passionate about supporting survivors to learn more and apply at www.ohiohealth.com/sarnco. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and undergo a selective application process that includes a background check and interview.

WHAT:

This event is free to attend; however, all attendees must register in advance by Friday, May 17. 

Following the screening of the 59-minute documentary, a conversation will be held between panelists and audience members. The panelists will include:

• Dana Hardin, MD, OhioHealth Psychiatrist
• Darshan Duckson, African American Male Wellness Agency Program Manager
• Malcolm Varner-Brown, MSSA, LSW, Community Engagement and Participatory Planning Center for Public Health Innovation, City of Columbus LGBTQIA+ Community Health Liaison 
• Bianca "Debonair " Barber, Community Member
   

WHEN: Wednesday, May 22, from 6 - 8 p.m.

WHERE: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Branch - Auditorium, 96 S. Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215

Sabo's office, within Ohio State's grounds, is a refuge for survivors and co-survivors alike. Unlike university-employed staff, it isn’t mandatory for her to report cases to Ohio State’s Title IX office. This distinction allows them to provide confidential assistance to students, faculty, staff, families of survivors and campus visitors.

“It’s kind of a weird spot to be in, like on the margin, but it’s perfect because it means I can truly advocate for and serve survivors and co-survivors,” Sabo said in an interview with NBC4 reporter Sara Szilagy.

Over the past five years, SARNCO's campus advocacy program has extended its support beyond student counseling. Sabo takes on many roles, from lending a listening ear to survivors to actively engaging in campus initiatives to raising awareness about sexual assault. Recently, she participated in a suicide prevention event, highlighting the connection between mental health and the trauma of sexual assault.

Sabo’s time as campus advocate has exposed them to the many nuances of grappling with sexual assault. She offers logistical support, facilitates access to resources from food to mental health care and helps survivors find their path to justice.

“Every decision is a difficult decision after you’ve been assaulted,” Sabo told NBC4.

She has helped undergraduates seek guidance on sharing their trauma with family or partners and graduate students navigate the balance between academics and recovery.

Faculty members, too, approach Sabo with unique concerns. They have helped faculty who have experienced assault on campus in addressing worries about their reputation. Academia is a “small world,”she said, with tight knit communities.

“When I talk to faculty, their concern isn’t just about this campus community, but ‘If I leave, if I report, if I seek justice for what happened to me, how will that impact me here at Ohio State? And if I were to leave to go to another university, how will that continue to impact me when I try to publish, when I try to apply?’” Sabo told NBC4.

And her commitment extends beyond survivors themselves to co-survivors - those who stand by someone who was assaulted. From sorority sisters seeking guidance to parents dealing with their child's trauma from afar, Sabo offers support and guidance.

“People come to me and say, ‘How can I help this person? Because I don’t know if I’m doing a good job, I don’t know if I’m saying the right things, I want to help them,’” Sabo said. “By the time we’re done talking, we have talked about that. But I usually start with, ‘How are you doing? This is a lot of stress on you, right?’”

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, there are resources available.

OhioHealth SARNCO 24-hour sexual assault helpline: 844-644-6435

SARNCO aftercare advocacy: 614-788-4739

SARNCO OSU campus advocacy: 614-688-2518 

SARNCO online chatline

To learn more about SARNCO, click here.

Meg Dennis, manager of SARNCO, says this is the 22^nd year Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been marked.

“We would like to end sexual violence but it’s to raise awareness about how to prevent it, where to go if it happens,” said Dennis in a recent interview with The Columbus Dispatch, “We don’t want to raise awareness without also providing solutions.”

Social media has created a new awareness of sexual assault, starting with the #MeToo movement that began in October 2017. This saw thousands of women and others posting the hashtag on social media to say they too had been a victim of sexual violence or assault.

Five years and counting since that movement, “I see amplified voices. I see more readiness and willingness to engage in the movement,” Dennis said. “I see more events happening, which is great."

Working alongside Dennis, Jenice Tate, SARNCO’s training coordinator, encourages people to volunteer with SARNCO year-round. “Although we have heightened awareness throughout the month of April, sexual violence occurs every day, all year round, we’re fighting every day,” says Tate.

Tate and Dennis encourage people to volunteer with SARNCO and to offer more prevention services in colleges, schools, businesses and more.

Franklin County, which is the most populous county in Ohio, has the highest rate of sexual assault per capita in the state. Dennis hopes the number is so high is because survivors feel comfortable reporting locally.

“Still, that may not mean more people are assaulted, but that more people report their assaults,” she says.

SARNCO employs community advocates who work with survivors and are not a part of the criminal justice system. Instead, they are a “neutral party,” which can be important so survivors can regain autonomy after being assaulted or raped and get emotional support.

To reach out for support or learn more about SARNCO at OhioHealth, click here.

View the original story in the Columbus Dispatch, click the logo below.

SARNCO outreach program coordinator Deandre Criddell also did an interview recently with NBC4 about the #MeToo movement and it's impact.  You can read that story by clicking the station's logo below.

According to Jeff, there’s a continuum of harm between sexual harassment and sexual assault. He says that sexual assault can include sexual touching/groping, physical force, fondling and rape, while sexual harassment can include things like crude comments, gestures that are gender-focused, vulgar photos, catcalls, whistles and unwanted flirting.

Jeff also points out that there are societal attitudes and behaviors that can be detrimental to the victim survivor.  This includes:

• Victim blaming, which places the survivor in the role of being responsible for what happened to them
• Denying the existence of sexual violence or diminishing the severity of a behavior
• Objectifying people through slang and crude comments
• Gender norms that men should be in control and women should just follow and the belief that only men/boys should initiate sex

He says that our culture can support sexual assault and harrassement.  Examples include:

• Media, movies, tv – can normalize harmful behavior as romantic or seductive – like kissing someone when they say ‘no’, stalking, etc.
• Language – use of jokes and phrases that minimize harmful behavior – like “boys will be boys,” and other locker room talk/antics that are deemed socially acceptable
• Unfair dress codes
• ‘Policing’ boys or men who act different than the stereotypical “real man”

Click here to learn more about SARNCO's work.

One example from Eliza Sabo, program coordinator for the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), is to think about your emotional bandwith.

Eliza shared the story of a friend asking her if she had the emotional bandwith to listen to her rant and decompress about a bad day.  Eliza noticed that even though they've known each other for decades, her friend still asked - she didn't assume.  And Eliza said that even though her voluntary, informed answer has been yes 99.8 percent of the time, she knows she can say no or offer other alternatives if she doesn't have the capacity that day, protecting both her time and her mental health.

"In anti-violence prevention work we use an expanded definition for consent as it relates to intimate interactions and relationships, but consent is also a key communication factor with family, friends, colleagues, community members and patients," said Eliza. "Consent is what I like to call an 'empowered choice' – each person gets to have an active role in the decisions, big and small, that have an impact on their life. It can be a healthy part of a variety of human interactions."

Eliza shared some example of how people can actively incorporate consent into their daily lives, which offers more choice to others as you interact with them:

• A good place to start is with awareness. What if this week, you became more aware of the different ways we hear and experience consent?
• What if you thought about how you felt when you gave consent and how you felt when you wanted someone to ask you what you wanted and they didn’t?
• Situations when you hear or say the words yes and no.
• Situations where you would have preferred to have been asked for consent or provided with anticipatory guidance.
• Situations where you might have asked for consent from someone else.

Click here to learn more about SARNCO's work.  

In the latest OhioHealth Medical Minute, Meg Dennis, manager of the Sexual Assault Respnse Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), talks about the helpline and how it can help people throughout Ohio.

"The helpline is open to any survivor in Ohio, whether they have been assaulted recently or in the past," said Dennis.  "Sometimes they don't know who to call or where to go, so they'll call us and we can get them to the appropriate resource.  Many times a co-survivor, someone who knows and loves the survivor, will call and ask about what they can do to support that survivor and we're able to provide resources to them as well.  We can also support community partners with resources."

Nationwide, there has been an increase in sexual violence during the pandemic. However, calls to the helpline have decreased by more than 70 percent since the pandemic began. The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline and SARNCO want people to know they are here with compassionate, trained advocates to help 24/7. If you or a loved one needs assistance,please call 1-844-OHIO-HELP so we can help begin the healing process.

To learn more about the Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline, click here.

To learn more about SARNCO, click here. 

"In my mind, I've never crossed the line with anyone," Cuomo said in his resignation announcement. "But I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn. There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn't fully appreciate. And I should have — no excuses."

Following the announcement, NBC4 reporter Eric Halperin spoke with Meg Dennis, manager of the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO).  

"Intent versus impact are two different things. Whether he intended to or not, the impact is still the same for the survivor," Dennis told NBC4.  "Someone needs to always have more self-awarenes and always get consent."

If you or someone you know needs assistnace following a sexual assualt, SARNCO is here to help you.  Click here to visit the SARNCO website or call the 24/7 statewide hotline at 844-OHIO-HELP.

One in six college women experience sexual violence on their college campuses.  A recent look into Title IX reporting at Ohio State by student newspaper The Lantern pointed out that about 50 percent of these incidents take place within the first six weeks of the fall semester. 

One resource surviors have on Ohio State's campus is provided by OhioHealth - the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO).  SARNCO provides confidential support, information about options for filing a Title IX report, safety planning and connections to resources both on-campus and locally in central Ohio.  

Emily Gemar is one of two SARNCO campus advocacy coordinators, with an office on campus.  

Gemar told The Lantern reporters Maeve Walsh and Sarah Szilagy that SARNCO is not required to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the university and is not required to be impartial when a victim contacts them - which means they are able to provide an empathetic and trauma-informed ear and resources to survivors.

“We can be more in that emotional support role, really processing through what has happened and talking somebody through that,” Gemar told The Lantern. “I always come from the place of whatever you are feeling right now is valid, and it’s real."

While SARNCO has had their team physically on-campus for a year, Gemar told The Lantern that it has helped survivors of sexual assault for many years prior, by assisting survivors when they are hospitalized following an assault, with advocates on-call 24/7 for 18 emergency rooms in central Ohio.  

The Lantern is sharing the stories of survivors through a four part series called "(un)silenced: Journeys Through Ohio State's Title IX Process."  Click on The Lantern logo below to read part one of the series.  

For those who find themselves in consensual encounters, the situation becomes a problem when they ask their partner to stop, and the situation escalates instead. According to a study by the Association of American Universities, this issue is especially prevalent on college campuses, where there are twice as many sexual assaults compared to other crimes, like robberies.

Emily Gemar, campus advocacy coordinator for the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), says educating people about consent can help bring these numbers down.

"It’s important for people, regardless of their gender, to know about consent because people of all genders have sexual relations,” Gemar told 10TV reporter Brittany Bailey. “It’s important to know how to respect your partner and how to be a good partner in a healthy relationship.”

She points out that sexual misconduct occurs at a higher rate at certain times of the year. This period is known as the “red zone,” and typically happens around the first six to eight weeks a student first arrives on campus.

"There are a lot of social settings on campus that involve alcohol and drug use,” Gemar said. “Also, folks are away from home for the first time, they’re learning about what consent is, they’re learning about what healthy boundaries are in relationships, and a lot of times in our society, we don’t get a lot of education around those topics before we leave home.”

It’s also important to remember that consent is a continuum and can be withdrawn at any moment, no matter the circumstances.

To learn more about SARNCO and the work they’re doing to provide advocacy and support services for issues like these, click here.

To read the full story by 10TV, click on their logo below.  ABC6, NBC4 and The Columbus Dispatch also covered the topic of consent.  Their stories may also be viewed by clicking on their logos below. 

With spring break season in full swing, there are plenty of concerned parents of teens and college students traveling in groups to out of state locations.

One of the major concerns focuses on alcohol consumption.

A study by the US Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found 44 percent of women, and 75 percent of men, reported getting drunk every day on Spring Break. Half of them say they binge drink until they pass out.

"What's important for the community to know about alcohol consumption and violence is that perpetrators target vulnerability," said Susan Wismar, Prevention Coordinator for the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio. "For so long, we've tried to end violence by saying if you're a vulnerable person, be less vulnerable," Wismar told 10TV.

What is being talked about now, especially in those working on prevention and education is bystander intervention.

Wismar tells 10TV, keeping an eye out for not only those in your group, but also those you see that might not be in your group, but those that appear to need help.

"It is every one of your jobs to take care of each other, and make sure everybody is safe," said Wismar.

Experts suggest parents having important conversations with groups of teens or college students before they head off for spring break.

But once these students get to their location, for them to really band together to keep everyone safe in their group, and to have consistent check-in's with each other as the week goes on.

SARNCO has a 24-hour line available for anyone who needs a place to turn.

SARNCO’s mission is to empower all survivors and end sexual violence. The vision is to live in a world without oppression, where all people are safe to live authentic, freely chosen lives and to pursue their full potential.

The 24-Hour Rape Helpline is (614) 267.7020 or via the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1 (800) 656-HOPE.

If you would like to see the story from 10TV click here.

In addition to those directly impacted by harassment or assault, friends, families, even perfect strangers have stepped up to show support for #MeToo in their own posts.

This week WBNS 10TV teamed up with OhioHealth SARNCO, the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio for an all-day phone bank.

Those from the SARNCO team, along with representatives from the HelpLine of Delaware/Morrow Counties took calls from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. of anyone who needed to have someone to reach out to.

SARNCO offers support and service to survivors of sexual assault. The 24-Hour Rape Helpline is 614-267-7020, or the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1 (800) 656-HOPE.

You can learn more online by clicking here.

Funding for these services is made available thanks to grants through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, and several other state agencies.

“We thank 10TV for allowing us to be part of this very important outreach for men and women in our community, and state,” Susan Wismar, OhioHealth SARNCO prevention education coordinator said.

“At SARNCO we commit to amplifying your call for social and community change. We believe you, and are here to support you,” she added.

Anna started as a volunteer hospital advocate for the sexual assault prevention and intervention program in January 2014. Her first case: a 25-year-old woman who’d been raped by an ex-boyfriend. Anna met with the survivor in the hospital and stayed with her throughout the forensic medical exam.

“It had a huge impact on me,” says Anna. “When she left, the woman asked me for a hug. I knew then that my support really meant something to her.”

Today, Anna co-coordinates SARNCO’s Aftercare Advocacy service, providing follow-up support to survivors after they’ve been to the hospital or called a helpline. SARNCO operates the 24-Hour Rape Helpline for sexual violence survivors in Franklin County and the hospital advocacy program in which Anna was a part of, providing support to sexual violence survivors who show up at Columbus-area Emergency Departments. In addition, SARNCO has a sexual violence prevention educational program for schools, colleges and the community at large.

With funding from the Ohio Attorney General, OhioHealth recently launched the first statewide, 24/7 helpline for sexual violence survivors. The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline is staffed by trained, contingent sexual assault survivor advocates who offer emotional support, crisis intervention and resource information. The helpline works in collaboration with local hotlines currently in operation elsewhere in the state and serves as the primary resource for residents living in counties without a local, 24-hour helpline.

“The people we serve often reach out for support immediately following a sexual assault,” says Heather Herron Murphy, manager, OhioHealth behavioral health outpatient services. “We want to empower survivors with information and options so they can make decisions about how best to move forward in their recovery process.”

SARNCO depends largely on volunteers. The program has eight paid coordinators, 16 paid staff advocates and about 100 volunteer advocates. Some, like Anna, volunteer out of personal interest and a passion for helping women. Others are survivors themselves. Some are students pursuing courses in counseling or social services.

Volunteers work at least three, eight-hour shifts a month and undergo 40 hours of training, which includes strategies for self-care to help volunteers withstand the emotional nature of the work.

Anna says her time with SARNCO has taught her that support for sexual assault survivors can take different forms.

“It’s important to approach them in an open way and support them however they need supported,” she says. “Sometimes that’s being quiet or leaving the room if preferred. Sometimes, it’s holding a hand. Every survivor is different.”

More information

Visit ohiohealth.com/sexualassaultresponsenetwork for information on how to become a SARNCO volunteer.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault, call the SARNCO 24-Hour Sexual Assault Helpline at (614) 267.7020 or the Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline at (844) OHIO-HELP.

They are words that have certainly turned the political landscape of this 2016 election on its head. A decade old recording between Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump and entertainment host Billy Bush has been made public, leaving many community members trying to figure out what it all means for the election, and for the country.

The 2005 recording of Donald Trump also sparked an explosive, and very sensitive, national conversation about sexual violence.

Susan Wismar minces no words in reacting to those of Donald Trump.

"I describe it as sexual violence, the words in and of themselves,” she said.

Wismar is the program coordinator for the Sexual Assault Response Network on Central Ohio, or SARNCO.

“These words are what form a normalization in our culture of sexual violence,” Wismar said. “When everybody is saying, this is acceptable, or this is what powerful people do, or people say these things and don't get in trouble, then why is it strange to think doing them would get you in trouble?"

She cites a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listing "risk factors" for sexual violence as an important companion to the national conversation.

According to the documentation, the CDC lists risk factors to be associated with a greater likelihood of sexual violence (SV) perpetration. They are contributing factors and might not be direct causes. Not everyone who is identified as "at risk" becomes a perpetrator of violence.

A combination of individual, relational, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of becoming a perpetrator of SV. Understanding these multilevel factors can help identify various opportunities for prevention.

CDC conducted a systematic review of risk and protective factors for SV perpetration and identified a number of factors at the individual and relationship levels that have been consistently supported by research. However, research examining risk and protective factors for SV perpetration at the community and societal levels remains very limited. Thus, most risk factors identified at community and societal levels are theoretically-derived and based on findings from the World Health Organization’s World Report on Violence and Health (2002).

Last week, As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Heather Herron Murphy, manager ofOhioHealth's Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), announced the launch of a new helpline serving survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence across the state.

ABC 6 and The Columbus Dispatch covered the announcement. Click on the video above to watch ABC 6's story, and the Columbus Dispatch logo to read coverage there. 

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Heather Herron Murphy, manager of OhioHealth's Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), today announced the launch of a new helpline serving survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence across the state.

Advocates with the Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline at 1-844-OHIO-HELP (1-844-644-6435) began taking calls this morning. The new helpline, which is the first confidential, statewide hotline dedicated to serving survivors of sexual assault in Ohio, is staffed by SARNCO 24-hours a day, seven days a week and is open to all callers living anywhere in the state.

"Sexual assault is an under-reported crime, in part because those who have been assaulted don't always know who to call for confidential support, and in some parts of Ohio, there is no one locally who they can call at all," said Attorney General DeWine during a news conference this morning at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital. "Now, thanks to this new helpline, no matter who you are, and no matter where you live, advocates will be available 24/7 to direct sexual assault survivors to local resources or to just listen and provide comfort."

"Today, numerous advocacy programs provide support to survivors of sexual assault in Ohio," said Murphy, "But despite these remarkable efforts, there are still areas across the state that do not have 24-hour access to confidential sexual violence advocacy, support, and resources. The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline aims to fill in those gaps and to support existing services by connecting survivors in their counties to their local resources."

The Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline will act as the primary helpline for residents living in counties without a local, 24-hour helpline and will work in collaboration with, not in place

of, hotlines that are currently in operation elsewhere in the state.

More than a dozen advocates, who are trained in safety planning, crisis intervention, and basic coping skills, will staff the helpline and provide callers with support and information on local community resources. Advocates can also provide recovery books and emergency door and window locks to those who need them.

The helpline is funded by a $1.2 million grant that Attorney General DeWine awarded OhioHealth as part of the "Ohio Attorney General's Expanding Services and Empowering Victims Initiative." The initiative aims to fund new programs in Ohio that will empower survivors to overcome their victimization.

According to the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, there were at least 4,640 rapes reported statewide in 2014.