More than 110 people in Ohio — including 13 in Stark County — were killed during the last year because of domestic violence, according to a new statewide report.
The Ohio Domestic Violence Network released its annual fatality report on Wednesday, showing 114 domestic violence deaths throughout the state between July 2023 and July 2024 — an increase of two from the previous reporting period. Fifteen of the deaths were children and teenagers.
The nonprofit, which releases the report during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, compiled the number of fatalities from media reports and information from 76 member programs.
In nearly a quarter of the cases, the victim was ending the relationship, the nonprofit said. It also noted that 72% of the victims had been involved with the criminal justice or civil systems, including divorce or custody proceedings, and 56% of the killers had prior contact with the criminal justice system.
“We continue to see victims, particularly parents, reach out for help to protect themselves and their children and not receive what is needed to save their lives,” Lisa DeGeeter, legal counsel for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said in a prepared statement. “These victims were leaving, they were reporting, filing charges, requesting protection orders, but it wasn’t enough to stop the violence.”