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

Sophia is an advocate and activist for women and girls. For more than 15 years, she has served as a bold change agent for issues regarding sexual assault and civic engagement. To fulfill this mission, Sophia serves on the Survivor Advisory Council of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the Board of Directors of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, and is an alumna of the Jo-Ann Davidson Leadership Institute and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs’ new Leadership program. When she is not volunteering with a change-driven organization, she works for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. 

Liz Poprocki is the Executive Director of Ohio Victim Witness Association, a Registered Advocate with Advanced Standing through the Ohio Advocate Network, a Comprehensive Credentialed Advocate through the National Advocate Credentialing Program, a member of the Ohio Crisis Response Team and is NOVA certified in crisis response. She has been active in the advocacy field for over 15 years with opportunities ranging from crime victim advocate, court liaison for rape survivors, community educator, outpatient and inpatient therapist, and advocate with Disability Rights Ohio.  

Liz Poprocki is the Executive Director of Ohio Victim Witness Association, a Registered Advocate with Advanced Standing through the Ohio Advocate Network, a Comprehensive Credentialed Advocate through the National Advocate Credentialing Program, a member of the Ohio Crisis Response Team and is NOVA certified in crisis response. She has been active in the advocacy field for over 15 years with opportunities ranging from crime victim advocate, court liaison for rape survivors, community educator, outpatient and inpatient therapist, and advocate with Disability Rights Ohio.  

Sherri Bevan Walsh was elected Summit County Prosecutor in 2000 and has been recognized on both the state and national levels for her outstanding leadership. She was honored as Public Official of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers for her commitment to crime victims, named Prosecutor of the Year by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association for her aggressive prosecution of criminals, and was named 2019 Victim Right’s Champion by Marsy’s Law for Ohio. Prosecutor Walsh has been recognized with more than 55 awards, including the 2016 Model of Justice by the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center. Prosecutor Walsh’s goal is to aggressively prosecute criminals and ensure that victims receive support and assistance throughout the criminal justice proceedings. Throughout her 30 year career as an attorney in Summit County, Ms. Walsh has fought for the rights of victims and their families. As Summit County Prosecutor, Ms. Walsh started the office’s first full-time Victim Services Division. In 2013, Prosecutor Walsh was the first Prosecutor in Ohio to have a facility dog program to assist crime victims, especially children. Avery, the Prosecutor’s Office Facility Dog, has comforted over 230 victims and assisted nearly 40 victims as they testified in court. Here she discusses the importance of having Marsy's Law in Ohio.

David Voth has been the Executive Director of Crime Victim Services (CVS) since 1985 in West Central Ohio. CVS has 40 staff serving in programs of Court Appointed Special Advocates, Child Advocacy Center, Relationship and Sexual Violence, Human Trafficking, Court Advocacy, Elder Victim Ministry, Guardianship, Special Victims Unit for underserved victims, and Violence Prevention in schools and college campuses.  CVS has counselors and an attorney on staff. David authored the book, “Quality Victim Advocacy: A Field Guide” and received the United States Congress Victim Rights Caucus Outstanding Victim Advocate Award. He helped pass the Ohio Marsy’s Rights Constitutional Amendment in 2017 by an 83% margin. We recently interviewed him about how Marsy's Law helps victims and survivors of sexual assault and the need for victims rights.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Judd Templin

614-560-3399

[email protected]

COLUMBUS, OH. (April 11, 2019) - Marsy's Law for Ohio, the organization created to pass state ballot Issue 1 in 2017 to provide Ohio Constitutional rights to crime victims, today announced it presented "Victims Rights Champion" awards to 14 instrumental Ohio leaders in recognition of their dedication to fighting for the rights of crime victims.