Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program

The Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program is designed to reimburse law enforcement and prosecutors for expenses related to sexual assault kit (SAK) testing. This funding supports investigations into sexual assaults, including drug-facilitated cases, by covering costs such as lab testing, transportation, and expert witness fees. There is no maximum reimbursement amount, ensuring agencies can effectively address these critical investigations and enhance their capacity to respond to sexual assault incidents.

Office of Criminal Justice Services
The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is Ohio’s lead justice planning agency.
OCJS administers grant funds to Ohio’s criminal justice constituents and coordinates Ohio’s comprehensive criminal justice plan. To safeguard federal and state criminal justice funds against waste, grants are monitored for compliance, audited for accuracy, and evaluated for effectiveness.
OCJS is also home to a team of researchers and policy specialists who provide practitioners and policymakers with valuable information on criminal justice issues. Additionally, OCJS facilitates initiatives such as the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, the Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System, the Statistical Analysis Center, and the Ohio Consortium of Crime Science.
The purpose of this funding is to reimburse state and/or local law enforcement and prosecutors for expenses related to sexual assault kit (SAK) testing, results, and related expenses. It is important to note that this includes kits that are collected in suspected drug-facilitated sexual assaults and suspect kits. This funding may be used to build capacity of agencies to complete these types of investigations (e.g., training), Under certain circumstances, other related costs may be covered. Currently, there is no maximum amount per SAK reimbursement request, provided the request does not exceed actual expenditures.
Costs that are reimbursable include:
Costs related to kit testing (for example, lab costs for DFSA testing)Mileage/Transportation/Shipping of kit if shipping method maintains chain of custodyExpert Witness testimony related to kit resultsTraining to build capacity around evidence collectionOther costs may qualify, and agencies are encouraged to contact an OCJS representative to discuss.
It is important to note that this fund does not cover the expenses of a victim or survivor; it is intended for an agency that collects and analyzes evidence and/or investigates a criminal case related to a sexual assault.

Eligibility

Who qualifies:Law enforcement (LE) agencies
Prosecutors, crime labs, and other allied professionals who are working with law enforcement agencies to investigate sexual assault cases involving kit testing and related expenses.
Reimbursement is reserved for those offenses for which a sexual assault kit, drug-facilitated sexual assault, or suspect kit was collected as part of a sexual assault investigation. These offenses may include:2907.02 Rape
2907.04 Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
2907.05 Gross sexual impositionIf a different sexual offense is charged, please explain why a kit was collected as part of the investigation. It is important to note that kits may be collected from an unnamed or anonymous victim (or suspect).