Kaptur Announces $1.3 Million in DOJ Awards to Secure Justice for Victims of Abuse and ViolencePress ReleaseHealth Care

Toledo, OH - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced $1.3 Million in United States Department of Justice awards for Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO) based in Toledo. LAWO works to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities have the same access to legal resources as those who can hire an attorney. The non-profit's Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life will receive $700,000 to support victims of abuse over the age of 50 and for the professionals that serve them. The Disability Grant Program will receive $600,000 to provide legal advocacy and consultations for abuse victims with disabilities. Both awards will be administered through the Office on Violence Against Women.

"For over a half century, legal aid organizations in our Northwest Ohio community have worked tirelessly to bring well-deserved justice and empowerment to those who need it most," said Congresswoman Kaptur (OH-09). "I am proud to have helped secure these funds for the Legal Aid of Western Ohio to support victims of abuse and violence. Older individuals and people with disabilities face a higher risk of abuse and often have difficulty finding the resources to get help. LAWO provides much-needed relief to these victims and the professionals who investigate crimes of abuse. They can now build upon existing advocacy efforts and continue to reach people across the nearly three dozen counties they serve."

LAWO serves individuals and families who demonstrate financial need and require legal advocacy, consultation, or representation. In 2022 alone, the organization closed 4,252 cases to protect and stabilize more than 12,000 low-income individuals in Northwest and Western Ohio. The cases ranged from housing and consumer issues to bankruptcy and education equity. LAWO offers specialized programs for domestic violence survivors and seniors. One DOJ award will specifically address the intersection of these two groups, training criminal justice professionals and other professionals who work with older victims of abuse to create safer communities. The funds will target investigation, prosecution, and victim support services for domestic violence, sexual assault, economic abuse, neglect, stalking, and abandonment against individuals aged 50 or older.

LAWO's disability program will use its award to provide training, consultation, and information on domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and abuse by caregivers against individuals with disabilities and Deaf people. People with disabilities are three times as likely to be sexually assaulted than people without disabilities, and there can be many barriers to receiving legal assistance. Increased funding will enhance direct services already provided to these individuals.

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