News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office walks against domestic violence

The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to support the Transitions Shelter Walk a Mile in my Shoes event for the eighth year in a row through financial donations and participation.

The event highlights domestic violence issues in the community. Effectively combatting domestic violence is a focus of the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office. Transitions is an essential resource in addressing issues of domestic violence, as well as needs of victims. Unlike similar initiatives nationwide, Transitions makes a point of recognizing all victims of domestic violence, to include men.

This year, Assistant Prosecutor Molly Martin served as a walk judge and was honored with the Mitzi Shook Award for her dedication to victims of domestic violence. Mitzi served as the director of Transition Shelter and a victim advocate in the City of Zanesville before dying of cancer in 2020.

As a felony prosecutor, Molly works diligently to achieve justice for crime victims, including those involved in domestic violence. This involves meeting with victims to ensure their voices are heard and aggressively prosecuting violent offenders.

“The award is very meaningful because I knew Mitzi personally, and I knew how much she had an impact on victims,” Molly said. “I appreciate how difficult it is for domestic violence victims to come forward and will work as hard as possible to honor their courage.”

Much like her colleagues at the prosecutor’s office, Molly recognizes the cycle of domestic violence must be broken, and it often takes the help of a community to make that happen.

Every year since the event’s inception in 2014, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office has participated in Walk a Mile in my Shoes since its founding in 2014.

Representing the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office this year as celebrity walkers were Prosecutor Ron Welch alongside assistants Gerald Anderson, Michael Hughes and John Litle.

“Any community outreach that raises awareness regarding the impact of domestic violence is valuable, but this particular event is especially important as symbol showing that men stand against domestic violence,” Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “Each year, this event has grown, which is a credit to Transitions and our community. Providing more information and education to people about domestic violence and the harm it causes victims and families allows our office to achieve more justice for victims and more protection for our community.”

In addition to felony prosecutors, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office employs victim-witness coordinators who serve as advocates for crime victims to ensure victim rights are protected and victims remain informed throughout the entire criminal process.

Victim-Witness Coordinator Lea Ann Tignor has been a member of the Domestic Violence Coalition for seven years and assists in the planning and fundraising for the event.

Her role on the coalition allows Lea Ann to build relationships with other community advocates and add more tools to better her role at the prosecutor’s office.

“It’s heartwarming to be part of a network of victims and advocates who provide support and resources to one another,” Tignor said.

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