By Aaron Johnson
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - The Abuse and Rape Crisis Shelter of Warren County has received a three-year, $180,000 grant for a project to help combat domestic violence in the Franklin/Carlisle Area.

The shelter in Warren County is one of four programs in six Ohio counties to receive aid from the Delta Project (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements Leadership Through Alliances), a service of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. For the past three years, Franklin Municipal Court has had the second-most cases of domestic abuse filed of the four courts in Warren County, behind only the Warren County Court.

In 2002, Franklin Municipal Court had 183 cases filed and Warren County Court had 220. One of the project's first steps will be to find out why the Franklin rates are so high.

"The first year will be mostly an organizing grant, mapping what kind of domestic violence is occurring and where it is occurring," said Janet Hoffman, Executive Director of the ARCS.

A good portion of the grant also could go to domestic violence prevention education programs in Franklin and Carlisle schools, with speakers discussing dating, bullying and other issues. Similar programs also could be offered in area churches.

"By raising awareness about domestic violence in everyone, we will hit people directly involved and let them know that there are programs out there," said Hoffman.