The Summit County Common Pleas Court’s Domestic Violence Intervention Court (DVIC), led by Judge Kathryn Michael, has received the No HARM Award from the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center in Akron. The award was presented during a gala in October 2025, which coincided with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The No HARM Award recognizes organizations that support survivors and work to prevent abuse.
Judge Michael and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office were recognized for their collaborative approach to justice. Hope & Healing CEO Teresa Stafford noted the DVIC’s methods and its effect on community safety. She stated that the court now serves a larger number of families.
The DVIC is a specialized docket that addresses felony-level intimate partner violence. The court uses a trauma-informed and therapeutic approach, rather than a traditional punitive model. Judge Michael said that many participants have experienced domestic violence as children, making intervention and education important…