Marsy’s Law for Ohio Announces Twelve-Member Advisory Board

October 26, 2021

Board members lead efforts to elevate victims’ rights across the state.

 

COLUMBUS - October 18, 2021 – Marsy’s Law for Ohio, which supports equal rights for crime victims under the state’s Constitution, is expanding its mission with the support of some of the most accomplished victims’ rights advocates and legal experts in Ohio.

After Marsy’s Law was overwhelmingly passed by Ohio voters in November 2017, the organization continued to elevate victims’ rights and ensure the Ohio Constitution was being followed. Marsy’s Law for Ohio is now launching an Advisory Board that has attracted members from across the state. The Advisory Board will serve as a connection point for those in the victims’ rights space across the state to collaborate, learn, and educate.

“The group of experts and advocates joining the Advisory Board will make an even greater impact in how we advocate for victims’ rights across the state of Ohio," said Jessica Ryan, Marsy’s Law for Ohio. “We identified members who can discuss every aspect of crime victims’ rights and work together to improve the criminal justice system for victims,” she added.

“Far too often, victims of violent crimes do not know that they have rights too. Our current system places an inconceivable burden on victims to seek and access justice,” said Sophia Fifner, advocate and Advisory Board member, “With the newly formed Marsy's Law for Ohio Advisory Board, I hope we can move our legislators to act and inform victims of life-saving resources for when the unconceivable strikes. As a survivor of rape, I believe the Marsy's Law Advisory Board is a formidable step toward raising awareness that survivors' rights matter.”

“This advisory board will be a great resource to victims, survivors and advocates in Ohio by looking at the ways Marsy’s Law is working for Ohioans and the ways it could be improved to ensure that victims and survivors are able to exercise their rights in the least difficult way possible,” said Liz Poprocki, Executive Director of Ohio Victim Witness Association and Advisory Board member.

Representative Andrea White (OH-41) has introduced House Bill 343 to implement the constitutional amendment in the Ohio Revised Code.

The inaugural Marsy’s Law for Ohio Advisory Board members include:

  • Lisa DeGeeter, Credentialed Advocate, Child Victimization Resource/Expert
  • Micaela Deming, Ohio Domestic Violence Network, Policy Director and Staff Attorney
  • Joe Deters, Hamilton County, Prosecutor
  • Sophia Fifner, Local Advocate and Director of Communications and Executive Director of NiSource Charitable Foundation
  • Tracy Jordan, Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, Victim Advocate and Director of the Geauga LOSS Team
  • Cathy Harper Lee, Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center, Founder and Executive Director
  • Abby Hefflinger, Crime Victim Services, Staff Attorney and Director of Court Advocacy
  • Liz Poprocki, Ohio Victim Witness Association, Executive Director
  • James Stanley, Meigs County, Prosecutor
  • Wendy Ricks-Hoff, Ohio Victim Witness Association, Training & Technical Assistance Coordinator
  • Deputy Robin Taylor, Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Unit
  • Elizabeth Well, Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center, Legal Director