Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence

Leading with Purpose: A People Centered Leadership Series
2025-10-29 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
MEMBERS ONLY
This comprehensive leadership series is designed to equip emerging and current nonprofit leaders with the essential skills and knowledge to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact. Through a blend of lecture, interactive sessions, case studies, practical tools, and peer learning, participants will explore key dimensions of leadership and management in the nonprofit sector.
August 20 — Leadership & Management Part 1: Foundations of Effective Leadership
September 09 –Leadership & Management Part 2: Strategic Leadership in Action
September 16 — Coaching and Conflict Management
September 24 — Networking and Boundary Spanning
October 15 — Basic Budgeting for Nonprofits
October 29 — Culminating Graduation (In-Person)
REGISTER HERE

2025 Excellence in Legal Advocacy
2025-10-29 10:00 - 2025-10-30 15:00
Join us in October for two vital days of learning! These two days will focus on two important aspects of advocacy. To strengthen the confidence, knowledge, and understanding of advocates and other professionals by learning:

Day 1: Advocating for Military Survivors (virtual)

The unique needs of Military survivors.

Day 2: Being an Expert Witness (in person in Central Ohio with specific location to be announced)

What expert testimony is, who can provide it, and how to provide effective expert witness testimony.
This course will provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively provide expert testimony.

REGISTER HERE!

Training Institute for Sexual Violence Advocates - Fall 2025
2025-11-03 10:00 - 2025-11-07 15:30
OAESV’s Training Institute for Sexual Violence Advocates is designed for advocates and rape crisis program staff who have been working in the field two years or less, or are new to Ohio laws and procedures. This training fulfills the “Core Standards for Rape Crisis Programs in Ohio” requirement of 40 hours of introductory training for new staff. OAN and NOVA/NACP: meets requirements as a pre-approved training for “Introductory Advocacy” training. Approved for 37.5 hours of CEU credits for social workers.
Training Schedule:

20 Hours of Asynchronous Training: Accessible 10/14/2025-11/2/2025, completed at your own pace.
20 Hours of Live Zoom Training: November 3rd – 7th, 10am-3:30pm with breaks throughout the day, including a 30 minute lunch break.

REGISTER HERE
This training is for OAESV members only. If you need assistance logging into our Member Portal (Coalition Manager) or you would like to become a member, please email info@oaesv.org for assistance. For additional information or questions, please email training@oaesv.org.
Objectives:

Participants will engage with the training materials in the content areas listed in the “Core Standards for Rape Crisis Programs in Ohio” to meet the minimum requirement of 40 hours of rape crisis advocacy training for newly-hired staff members within six months of hire.
Participants will gain a greater understanding of the many diverse factors that influence and affect a sexual violence survivor’s experience of victimization and healing following an assault, with the purpose of implementing three key elements of victim-centered, trauma-informed care into their advocacy practice.
Participants will learn about at least three medical and three legal services, to increase their knowledge of resources and options available for survivors.

OAESV Legal Clinic Office Hours
2025-11-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-20 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-09 14:00 - 16:00
Survivors & Advocates – Connect with an attorney
The OAESV Legal Clinic hosts virtual office hours to provide a safe space for Ohio survivors and their advocates to connect with an attorney. They also allow survivors to discuss legal options, connect with resources, and/or have a brief consultation.

Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm
January 14, February 11, March 11, July 8, August 5, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 9

Thursdays from 12pm-2pm
January 30, February 27, March 27, April 17, May 15, June 12, July 24, August 21, September 25, October 23, November 20

Please call 216-282-1559 or text 216-232-2066 to connect.
Additional accommodations available by request.

Monthly Legislative Updates: 2025 First Friday Calls
2025-11-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-05 13:00 - 14:00
Join OAESV’s First Friday calls to discuss timely legislative updates that impact Ohio survivors, rape crisis centers, and communities. Throughout 2025, our First Friday calls will cover relevant state and federal legislative/policy news, provide space for skill-building in public policy engagement, and provide the opportunity to hear from lawmakers and more!
Held the first Friday of every month from 1-2pm

February 07
March 07
May 02
June 06
August 01
September 05
November 07
December 04

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Ready Set Go! Foundations for Prevention - Fall 2025
2025-11-17 10:00 - 15:00
Ready Set Go! will introduce new prevention professionals to violence prevention foundations, including anti-oppression, public health, and best practices. While focused on introductory information, this training is beneficial for all anti-sexual violence professionals to build skills and refresh knowledge about primary prevention and its integral role in ending sexual violence. The day will include time to network and practice skill-building and is open to OAESV members and non-members. The last day to register is November 3, 2025.
Whether you are new to prevention or looking to refresh your skills, this virtual training offers hands-on learning, statewide connection, and a deeper understanding of how prevention helps end sexual violence. We will explore key concepts, gain practical tools, and leave feeling more confident in your work and ideas in prevention.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Collective Calls
2025-11-20 14:00 - 15:00
There is power and strength in a collective! With a rotating focus, these monthly meetings are opportunities for members to build community and strength as we work together to end sexual violence.
In-Service (members only)
In-service sessions are short trainings during which participants can grow skills, cultivate new partnerships, and learn about developments in the field.
Program Spotlight (members only)
Program spotlight sessions are opportunities to engage with peers and build skills for giving and receiving feedback. In these sessions, an identified program will spotlight a project or a topic and participants will have opportunities to ask clarifying questions and make recommendations.
Connection Spaces (open to all)
Connection space sessions are opportunities to connect and be in community with those who do similar work in Ohio. In these breakout spaces, participants will connect with their peers to discuss emerging topics related to their role(s). These spaces will feature breakout rooms for preventionists, direct service advocates, and SART/CCRT leaders. Additional breakout rooms may be available for rotating topic-specific conversations.
In-service and Program Spotlight sessions are reserved for OAESV members only. If you are an individual member or you work for a member program and need assistance logging into the member portal, please reach out to info@oaesv.org. If your agency is represented on this map, you are a member.

Month
Session Type
Date

February
In-Service
02/20/25 (2pm-3pm)

March
Program Spotlight
03/20/25 (10am-11am)

April
Connection Space
04/17/25 (2pm-3pm)

July
Connection Space
07/17/25 (2pm-3pm)

August
Program Spotlight
08/21/25 (10am-11am)

September
In-Service
09/18/25 (2pm-3pm)

October
Program Spotlight
10/16/25 (10am-11am)

November
Connection Space
11/20/25 (2pm-3pm)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ALL CONNECTION SPACES: OPEN TO ALL
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ALL PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS & IN-SERVICE: MEMBERS ONLY

OAESV Legal Clinic Virtual Office Hours
2026-01-07 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-15 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-04 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-04 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-08 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-16 15:00 - 17:00 and 3 more dates
Survivors & Advocates – Connect with an attorney
The OAESV Legal Clinic hosts virtual office hours to provide a safe space for Ohio survivors and their advocates to connect with an attorney. They also allow survivors to discuss legal options, connect with resources, and/or have a brief consultation.

Wednesdays
11 am – 1 pm

Thursdays
3 pm – 5 pm

January 7
February 4
March 4
April 8
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 2
October 14
November 4
January 15
February 19
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 22
November 19
December 17 (2-5pm)

Please call or text 216-282-1559 to connect.
Additional accommodations available by request.

Collective Calls
2026-01-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-21 10:00 - 11:00
There is power and strength in a collective! With a rotating focus, these monthly meetings are opportunities for members to build community and strength as we work together to end sexual violence.
In-Service (members only)
In-service sessions are short trainings during which participants can grow skills, cultivate new partnerships, and learn about developments in the field.
Program Spotlight (members only)
Program spotlight sessions are opportunities to engage with peers and build skills for giving and receiving feedback. In these sessions, an identified program will spotlight a project or a topic, and participants will have opportunities to ask clarifying questions and make recommendations.
Connection Spaces (open to all)
Connection space sessions are opportunities to connect and be in community with those who do similar work in Ohio. In these breakout spaces, participants will connect with their peers to discuss emerging topics related to their role(s). These spaces will feature breakout rooms for preventionists, direct service advocates, and SART/CCRT leaders. Additional breakout rooms may be available for rotating topic-specific conversations.
In-service and Program Spotlight sessions are reserved for OAESV members only. If you are an individual member or you work for a member program and need assistance logging into the member portal, please reach out to info@oaesv.org. If your agency is represented on this map, you are a member.
Click month names below to register for a specific session. Click here to register for 2026 entirely.

Month
Session Type
Date

January
In-Service
1/15/26 (10am-11:30am)

February
Program Spotlight
2/19/26 (10am-11am)

March
In-Service
3/19/26 (10am-11am)

May
Connection Space
5/21/26 (10am-11am)

July
Program Spotlight
7/16/26 (10am-11am)

August
In-Service
8/27/26 (10am-11am)

September
Connection Space
9/17/26 (10am-11am)

October
Program Spotlight
10/15/26 (10am-11am)

November
Connection Space
11/19/26 (10am-11am)

Media Engagement Skills for Survivors of Sexual Violence
2026-02-05 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-02-12 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-02-19 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom
REGISTER HERE!
This training program teaches survivors and community advocates practical communication skills for media engagement and public speaking. Using trauma-informed approaches, participants learn to engage strategically while protecting their wellbeing and creating meaningful change.
THE PROBLEM
Survivors and community advocates face:

No framework for deciding which media opportunities to accept
Limited training for interviews and public speaking
Burnout from saying yes to everything or not knowing where to start
Inconsistent messaging that weakens message impact

THE TRAINING – DIGITAL COURSE FORMAT
Three 90-minute virtual sessions delivered over 3-4 weeks. Due to the limited capacity of this training series and the cumulative nature of the content, we ask that registrants commit to attending all three training sessions.
REGISTER HERE!
SESSION 1 (90 MINUTES)
Module 1: Civic Assessment and Detox (30 minutes)

Assessing your current advocacy capacity and goals
Clearing the noise about what advocacy “should” look like
Framework for evaluating speaking opportunities strategically

Module 2: Reconnecting to Your Core Message (60 minutes)

Identifying your civic north star and values
Developing your core message (not your whole story)
Creating 30-second, 2-minute, and 5-minute versions for different contexts

SESSION 2 (90 MINUTES)
Module 3: Rest as Resistance and Boundary Setting (45 minutes)

Understanding that boundaries make you more effective, not less engaged
Scripts for declining requests professionally
Safety planning and sustainable engagement practices

Module 4: Media Engagement (45 minutes)

Preparing for interviews (TV, radio, print, digital)
Staying on message during diﬃcult questions
Building relationships with journalists

SESSION 3 (90 MINUTES)
Module 5: Public Speaking Skills (60 minutes)

Structuring presentations and testimony
Managing nerves and staying grounded
Handling Q&A sessions

Module 6: Ongoing Advocacy (30 minutes)

Pitching stories to media
Digital advocacy best practices
Sustainable engagement planning

TRAINING APPROACH
Trauma-Informed Virtual Learning:

Participants choose their level of engagement
Camera-optional environment
Chat and verbal participation options
Private breakout rooms available

Interactive Virtual Format:

60% hands-on practice (breakouts, role-plays, individual work)
40% instruction and group discussion
Small group work in breakout rooms
Real scenario applications
Interactive polls and activities

WHAT PARTICIPANTS GET
Live Training:

Three 90-minute expert-led virtual sessions
Interactive breakout sessions and practice opportunities
Real-time Q&A and personalized coaching

Take-Home Materials:

Complete worksheets with all frameworks
Decision-making checklist
Message templates
Interview preparation guides
Media pitch scripts
Boundary-setting language examples
Downloadable templates

FACILITATOR
Sophia Fifner brings expertise in strategic communications and trauma-informed training. As CEO of Columbus Metropolitan Club and creator of The Civic Reset framework for sustainable advocacy, she combines professional communications experience with understanding of how to engage meaningfully without burning out. Her approach helps advocates use their voice strategically while protecting their wellbeing.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Participants will have:

A clear framework for deciding which opportunities to accept
Conﬁdence to prepare for and handle media interviews
Professional scripts for setting boundaries
Their core message developed and practiced
Practical tools they can use immediately

DIGITAL COURSE LOGISTICS
Session Schedule:

Duration: Three 90-minute sessions
Delivery: Virtual platform (Zoom/Teams)
Group Size: 20-35 participants
Format: Interactive with breakouts, polls, and hands-on activities

Technical Requirements:

Stable internet connection
Computer/tablet with camera and microphone
Quiet space for participation

Participant Preparation:

Pre-session materials sent 48 hours in advance
Optional prep calls for technical support
Access to digital resource library before Session 1

REGISTER HERE!

Engaging Men Symposium: Understanding and Disrupting the Manosphere
2026-03-12 10:00 - 16:00
The one-day symposium will focus on teaching about what the manosphere is, addressing online radicalization of boys and men, identifying manosphere content, the pathways to adopting harmful narratives and the impacts on gender equity and violence in our communities. We will explore strategies to supporting narratives for healthier masculinity and how increasing protective factors for young men can lead to greater public health outcomes.
This will be a full day training opportunity featuring four workshops that will discuss the Radicalization of Boys and Men, Healthy Masculinities, Primary Prevention and Manosphere Counter-narratives and other innovative disruption.
Register HERE by March 6.

Seasonal Training Series (Spring): Taking Care, Resilience for the Self
2026-03-23 11:00 - 2026-03-24 12:30
Join us for our Spring Seasonal Training Series! Taking Care: Resilience For the Self with Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW, and Danae Riggs, Certified Trauma Specialist. Please plan to join us for both sessions on March 23 & 24, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, as the training is designed to build across the two 90‑minute days.
In violence prevention work, our ability to foster safety, connection, and healing in communities depends on how well we care for ourselves. This training grounds resilience as a core prevention practice, a way to strengthen our capacity to engage, respond, and lead with clarity in the face of chronic stress, trauma exposure, and the emotional demands of the work. Through experiential mind–body activities, participants will explore practices that support regulation, presence, and sustainability, helping us prevent burnout, build protective factors, and model the wellbeing we hope to cultivate in our communities.
Training Objectives:

Learn prevention‑aligned strategies for nurturing personal resilience as a protective factor in their work.
Engage in interactive mind–body exercises that enhance regulation, connection, and collective capacity.
Explore practical tools for returning to balance and grounding during moments of stress, activation, or compassion fatigue.

All accommodations will be as requested.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW
